Martha Schindler Connors -- more beauty clips

So you think you're under pressure? Olympic-caliber swimmers spend up to five hours a day underwater (for months on end) with only the line on the bottom of the pool to keep them company. "These women are a tough bunch," confirms Charlie Snyder, communications director for USA Swimming in Colorado Springs, the sport's governing body. "Fifty- and 100-meter races are fierce. Successful sprinters go all out—there's no room for anything else."
Or is there? To find out, SELF asked five world-class and gold-medal swimmers—all in the middle of the toughest year of their lives—to converge at the Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Tucson for three blissful days. Between special pedicure powwows (and two-hour pool workouts prescribed for them by their anxious coaches), SELF got advice on keeping your muscles buff, mindset healthy and body beautiful. Dive in.

The Comeback Queen
"Age is my confidence booster," says Dara Torres, who at age 33 is the poster girl for "older" swimmers. She holds two gold Olympic medals (1984 and 1992), one silver and one bronze (1988). After seven years in retirement, Torres put her broadcasting job on hold and hopped back into the pool to train full-time. She's amazing everybody: In 1999 she won a gold medal at the US Open in the 50-meter freestyle, beating her best time ever, set when she was 18 years old. She plans to be the first American woman to swim in four Olympic Games.
Fitness Secret Weapon: "Monday, Wednesday and Friday I do an hour of Spinning, running or Tae-Bo, plus 90 minutes of weight training. Then I swim for an hour and a half. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I swim for two hours in the morning and again in the afternoon."
Think-Tough Tricks: "I focus on getting myself psyched. Right before a meet I get all hyped-up by listening to music—classic rock from bands like the Doors, who were big before most of the girls who are swimming now were even born!"

The Barrier-Breaker
Alison Terry, 26 (right), captured a gold medal at the World University Games last year and then set her sights on the Sydney trials, where she hopes to be the first African-American swimmer to make the US Olympic team. (She comes from a biracial family: Her mother is white, her father African-American and Native American.) When she's not swimming, she's crusading in her hometown of San Diego, urging urban communities to build more public pools where minorities can learn to swim.
Fitness Secret Weapon: "I take a Spinning class twice a week and it's really tough. Anything I do on land is really challenging! On the two days I don't swim, I stretch, warm up on the bike, lift weights and do crunches for an hour, then do 45 minutes on the treadmill or bike. I also do yoga once a week."
Think-Tough Tricks: "I'm motivated by the people at the pool where I practice. There are stroke victims, even a woman who is a quadruple amputee. She uses arm flippers to swim, and it's amazing. We all have swimming in common."

The Pool Partier
Melanie Valerio, 30, is one serious athlete. Her long legs (she's 6’3") and unbelievable arms—she can put them around four people at once—helped her win a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. But she's not such a serious person. "Swimmers are used to being naked together," she laughs. "We all grew up in swimsuits, so we're really free." Valerio spends most of her time hanging out with her dog (a 130-pound Rottweiler named Gunner) and her boyfriend (a 205-pound navy lieutenant commander named Lanny).
Fitness Secret Weapon: "I lift weights—and I really like lifting heavy weights—and run three miles, four times a week. I swim for two hours every day except Sunday. I also do tons of jumping—jumping rope, jumping over boxes. It's a great way to build lower-body power."
Think-Tough Tricks: "I remind myself that there's more to life than swimming. Like close friends and good times."

The Water Warrior
"Boy, you don't want to mess with Ashley Tappin," says Snyder. "She can be very intense." He's right: At 25, Tappin exudes determination, which is no accident: She's been swimming since she was nine, and can swim the length of an Olympic pool in an astonishing 25.54 seconds. That speed earned her a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. Today she's back, after enduring a series of shoulder injuries that kept her out of the ’96 Olympics and still give her a good deal of pain. "Some days I couldn't take a shower or get dressed because my shoulders were so sore," she says. "Sometimes I'd think, ‘I don't want to do this anymore. I want to be normal; I want my body to heal.’ But even when I was really young I thought I could go to the Olympics. My goal has stopped being a physical thing and become mental."
Fitness Secret Weapon: "I train six or seven days a week: strength-training drills an hour or two, four days a week. That could include lifting free weights, jumping over boxes and doing crunches with a weighted ball. Sundays, my days off, I run for a half hour."
Think-Tough Tricks: "Hard work isn't easy for anybody. When I dive into a pool and it's freezing cold, I don't love it! But day in, day out, this is my job, so it just wouldn't cut it so say, ‘I don't feel like going to work today.’ At a meet, I think about how far I've come. Then I settle down and find that fire within."

The Lethal Weapon
Liesl Kolbisen, 23, earned that nickname after winning two gold medals and one bronze at the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships and three US national titles. With her lean frame and buff biceps, she has a strong shot at gold in Sydney.
Fitness Secret Weapon: A typical day for Liesl includes a 20-minute warm-up on the treadmill, an hour of strength training, an hour of swim drills and a second, afternoon workout: 30 minutes of sit-ups and a 5,000-meter swim.
Think-Tough Tricks: "When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I focus on my breathing to keep calm. At a big meet, you can get tired out if you're too worried. I also think about my future. I'm getting married this year, and I know I'm going to be a wife and mother—I want 10 kids at least!—and I'll move home to northern California to start teaching kids to swim. Not the competitive things. Just the fun stuff."

Of all the beauty banes, cellulite has got to be one of the most universal. The despicable dimples can be seen on athletes, women who eat great diets and those who are in very good shape, says Stephen Bloch, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Highland Park, Ill. "They are doing all the right things—yet they have cellulite." Until very recently, banishing the bumps for good was just a pipe dream. Although exercise and weight loss do help, they are by no means a cure-all. The problem is that cellulite (fat deposits) settles just under the skin between connective tissue fibers. When these deposits enlarge, they push the skin out, forcing the underlying fibers to pull down. The result: that awful overstuffed-chair look. So even if your body-fat percentage is low, the fat you do have may nevertheless settle right beneath your skin.

Unfortunately, bad luck isn't the only thing working against you. Cellulite is genetic. Even if your mother's thighs are as smooth as Michelle Pfeiffer's, you may still get cellulite because an ancestor carried the gene. Then there's aging, which can cause the connective fibers in the skin to loosen, exacerbating the problem.

The light in all this darkness is that our impossible dream may have come true: In the past year, the FDA has given two devices the green light, allowing manufacturers to say that the products "reduce the parents of cellulite"— a fairly lightweight yet significant endorsement. It represents the first time the government has allowed any anti-cellulite treatment to make claims about efficacy. The machines—Endermologie, which is made by a company called LPG USA in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and SoftLight, from ESC Medical Systems in Bothell, Washington—deeply massage the flesh and may temporarily rearrange fat tissue to make cellulite disappear.

Until the development of these devices, women have been deluged with special diets, lotions and massage mitts that look vaguely medieval and require such vigorous application that they probably do more to tone your upper arms then your thighs. What's worse, none have had a real effect, says Hubert Greenway, Jr., M.D., chairman of dermatology and cutaneous surgery and director of the skin and cosmetic surgery center at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California. And though spa-style wraps and scrubs might slough the skin or temporarily plump it, they produce very short-term, mild effects, he says.

Even liposuction is ineffective. In fact, it can actually make cellulite look worse. "Liposuction decreases volume, but it doesn't touch the fat that lies directly under the skin," says Harold J. Milstein, M.D., a dermatologist with the Dermatology Center in Philadelphia. Liposculpture, a slightly more precise operation in which fat is rearranged with a smaller instrument, has somewhat better results. But it still carries the downsides—and the risks—of any operation.

Fat chance?
One of the selling points of the new treatments is that they are noninvasive, says Dr. Milstein. They work essentially the same way: A patient lies on a table while a technician moves and hand-held device over cellulite-ridden areas in the thighs, hips or abdomen. (Although the procedure must be done under a doctor's supervision, a trained technician can do it.) Both of the new devices incorporate a series of rollers that draw skin into the openings between them, alternately kneading the tissue and administering a vacuum pull. The treatment feels like a deep-tissue massage, similar to shiatsu, and each device has multiple settings, which range from relaxing to downright painful, says Dr. Milstein. Traditional massage isn't as effective, because the movement of tissue isn't as uniform, and a masseuse may find it difficult to push and pull at the same time.

Endermologie and SilkLight appear to reduce cellulite in several ways. They increase circulation to the area, which helps flush fluids from the surrounding membranes. They also rearrange the fat cells, either by pushing them into another spot or by stretching the connective fibers to allow the pillows of fat to settle into a smoother pattern. The machines may also stimulate the formation of collagen, which could help fill in gaps and plump up the skin. "In truth, we don't know exactly how it works," Dr. Milstein says. "But it does work."

Still, even the biggest proponents of the technology admit that it won't work on everyone. Plus, there's no way to know if and when you'll see results. Dr. Bloch estimates that 70 percent of the patients he treats have noticeable benefits. Among those women, a smaller group will see "absolutely dramatic" improvements. And in a limited 1998 study of Endermologie patients, which appeared in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, women who completed 14 sessions were able to reduce their body circumference by at least 1.8 cm.

"I had horrible cellulite ever since college," says Fern Felsenheld, 32, an advertising account supervisor in Livingston, New Jersey. "I'm not overweight, and I exercise almost every day." After three months of SilkLight treatments, Felsenheld says her cellulite is almost completely gone. "It's not a hoax, " she says. "It really works and my husband and friends all noticed. It's definitely worth the money." (To find a practitioner in your area, call 800-22-3911 for Endermologie; for SilkLight, call 888-330-5240.)

Speaking of cost, this silver bullet comes with a big price tag. The initial treatments, which will stretch over two months, cost about $1,500. After that, you can look forward to once-a-month follow-ups, which will cost about $100 each. And if you really want the results to last, you may have to continue indefinitely, says Joel Lamm, M.D., Director of the Dermatology Center of Long Island in Hicksville, New York. "This is really a temporary reduction," he says. "To keep it, you'll have to commit to regular maintenance." Beyond this, the program also demands that you stick with the other components of healthy fat-management: Eat a good diet, exercise regularly and drink lots of water, which helps keep the fluid that's released from the fat cells moving out of your body.

The perfect patient is someone who is at or close to her ideal weight. "You also have to have a reasonable expectation of what you're going to look like," says Dr. Lamm. "If you're 40 and you want an 18-year-old's body, or if you're 30 pounds overweight and you want to drop two dress sizes without going on a diet, it's not going to happen." But if you want a way to get rid of cellulite that fits in with an existing strategy of sensible eating and exercise, this might just be the miracle you been waiting for.

Maybe you don't consider yourself the spa type: You get up well before noon, spend your days in an office instead of the mall, and think pampering it means a shower that lasts longer than three minutes. But lately, even at the most un-spa-like of folks are getting a taste of the spa experience, thanks to the proliferation of day spas. These sell on like outposts and-where you can partakes of typical spa treatments by appointment, as opposed to signing on for several days and traveling to in remote resort — are now springing up in most urban areas. These spots are making it easier for people with stopwatch schedules and conservative cash flows to find relief for muscle (and mental) is tension, take better care of their skin, and get an all-around recharged.

For those and not versed in spa-speak, though, the treatment menu at many day spas can be baffling. The typical entrees go far beyond ordinary manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages. And even some of those old standbys have been gussied up with new techniques and products. Your best choice, suggests Marcia Kilgore, owner of Bliss Spa in New York City, is something you couldn't, or wouldn't, do at home. "If you really want to relax your body, see a professional who's got the training and the materials to do it right," she says. (For tips on how to find a reputable days spa, see "What to Know Before you Go.")

Some treatments, though, promise to deliver more than they're able: younger skin, a slimmer figure, a "detoxified" body. Here's a rundown of what—and what not—to expect from today's day spa offerings, with insider tips for getting your money's worth.

Face first
Because they're focused on deep-cleaning your skin and restoring its natural balance, facials can't be can be great maintenance tools. They're also good for special occasions when you really want to shine. Most facials remove surface roughness and increase circulation, giving your skin a certain glow. However, you should schedule your facial a day or so before a big event, to allow any pinkness or puffiness to subside.

The no-frills facial includes cleansing, moisturizing, and sometimes steam and extraction (in which an aesthetician manually removes debris from your pores). Speak up if this gets painful. Although these things can improve your skin's texture, don't expect to emerge with invisible pores, says Harold J. Milstein, M.D., a Philadelphia-area dermatologist and a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology. "These types of facials do make pores a look better, but they don't change their size."

An aromatherapy facial incorporates oils from flowers and other plants that promise to aid troubled skin. Herbs such as rosemary and lavender have been used in traditional medicine for generations, although clinical trials in the United States are rare (essential oils are more commonly used in European medicine than they are here). But even skeptics agree that they smell wonderful, have relaxing benefits, and won't hurt your skin if used properly.

Glycolic acid facials, which used acids from fruit, exfoliate without scrubbing and can leave your skin looking and feeling smoother. Some promise to " erase" signs of aging. That's an overstatement. Exfoliation removes dead surface cells, so it may lessen tiny wrinkles, superficial scars, and acne, but not in a dramatic way, Milstein says. Also, those treatments can be harsh, especially on sensitive skin. Be sure to ask your spa professional to start you out with a mild solution.

Oxygen-enhanced facials are particularly popular now. Some treatments used lotions with hydrogen peroxide, which bubbles when it hits your skin. Others use real oxygen, sprayed a fine mist directly onto your face to create a cooling, tingling sensation. The claim that oxygen may help prepare skin damage and therefore make it appear smoother does have some scientific basis, Milstein says. "That extra oxygen and supplements the oxygen supply to the stand by the blood, so there's a synergistic effect," he says.

Total-body Treatments
Most body treatments relieve tension and increase superficial blood flow, which (at least temporarily) can translate into better-looking skin and improved posture and flexibility, plus a feeling of calm and release. "You should feel completely relaxed and renewed," Kilgore says.

Some body treatments are billed as " detoxifying," but don't buy it, Milstein says. The purifying effects, even from those designed to make you sweat, are minimal. If you think a detoxifying treatment sounds relaxing, though, you're right. So go ahead — that's as good reason as any to get pampered.

Massages come in several varieties. If you're chronically stiff, try stimulating shiatsu, in which a therapist pushes various pressure points to release tension. If you're feeling stressed-out and over-stimulated, you may prefer the classic kneading-and-stroking Swedish massage. If you're an athlete, a deep-tissue or neuromuscular massage can loosen up your muscles to increase your mobility and decrease soreness. And for the perfect noontime spa escape, indulge in reflexology, a type of massage therapy that focuses on pressure points in the feet. " Your feet affect your entire body, so you walk out feeling rejuvenated," says Stephanie Matolyak, a spokeswoman for Spa-Finders, a New York City-based group that represents spas across the country.

Total-body scrubs employ just about any type of grit—and the hands of a technician—to exfoliate your skin. A popular option is the salt scrub, also known as a salt glow, in which a technician wets your skin, then rubs you all over with a paste of course salt and water or oil. It's a stimulating experience that will leave you feeling buffed and polished.

Packs and wraps are less-abrasive options and may be more attractive to sensitive-skin types. In a mud pack, you're painted all over with mineral-rich mud and allowed to dry. After it's rubbed away, it leaves your skin feeling softer, smoother, and tighter. For more relaxation, try an herbal or seaweed wrap, in which you're encased, mummy-style, in strips of fabric that have been soaked in a plankton-and-water solution. It's both hydrating and mildly exfoliating, so it will smooth and plump up your skin. It can also minimize cellulite—temporarily, at least. Don't expect permanent or profound changes, and don't be fooled into thinking that mud or plant matter will infuse your skin with vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients. "The molecules are just too big to pass through the skin," Milstein explains.

Hydrotherapy runs the gamut from de-stressing to distressing. At the one end, you may choose an underwater massage in a Jacuzzi-type tub or a Vichy shower, in which you lie on a table under a series of gentle spray jets. At the other end of the spectrum are high-pressure firehose-like treatments, such as the Scotch hose, which alternates blasts of hot and cold water. Before you sign up for a treatment, make sure you stress the fact your looking for: relaxing or energizing. "A good spa service can lead you're wearing to go or ready for a nap," Kilgore says.