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Prescription for Better Health: Go Alfresco?
Harvard Health Letters
Spending time outside might have some health benefits -- and the 'greening' of exercise might have some more. Here are five potential benefits of spending more time outdoors
Suspension Workouts
Stacie Stukin
Do you dream of defying gravity, Cirque du Soleil style? Or flying through the air with the greatest of ease? Suspension training can help you accomplish both and get a full body workout. This popular new fitness trend entails leveraging your body weight by hanging, swinging or gripping straps while performing a variety of moves. Here are some swinging classes worth investigating
Drink Up! Avoiding Dehydration
Dawn Jackson Blatner
Now that we're into the dog days of summer, dehydration is epidemic and a hidden cause of fatigue, stomach aches, dizziness, weakness, confusion, memory loss and other troubles. Luckily, it's simple to drink enough water and avoid dehydration if you abide by the following tips
Keep Your Athletes Hydrated On and Off the Field
Sue Hubbard, M.D.
With summer heat at its peak across the country and kids heading back to school athletics, band practice, drill team and the like, this is a good time to discuss heat-related illnesses and their prevention.
How to Lose Weight Safely
Eric Butterman
Let's face it: Most of us could shed a few pounds and be healthier for it. But dropping too much too fast can throw you out of whack, doing more harm than good. It can lead to a loss of mental focus, put you in a yo-yo bodyweight syndrome and even cause damage to a woman's cycle. To lose weight safely, consider the following strategies
Colleges Joining Effort to Turn Around Skyrocketing Obesity Rates
Courtney Rubin
Many colleges are trimming the fat. They're also offering coordinated weight loss programs, sessions with nutritionists, mileage-marked running and walking paths, and more healthful dining options, including calorie-controlled meals. Why the hard sell on healthy eating?
Milk: When the First Food May Be the Best Food
Hara Estroff Marano, Psychology Today Magazine
Milk was your first food, so it hardly seems a cutting-edge component of our diets. Still, milk just might be one of the last of the great mystery foods, so rich in nutrients that no one has quite figured out yet how they all impact our bodies and our minds.
How Morning Exercise Can Boost Your Career
Liz Wolgemuth
Exercise provides the rare multidimensional benefits of improved physical and mental health, and morning exercise appears to give workers an edge. Tom Rath and Jim Harter examined the qualities and habits that contribute to high levels of wellbeing. When it comes to physical wellbeing, morning exercise is hard to beat. Here's why, plus some tips on making morning workouts a routine
Lose the Weight and Not the Energy
Cynthia Sass
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects my clients face when starting a diet -- and it can lead directly to the 'I'm-too-tired-to-care-what-I-eat' binge. But cutting calories doesn't have to drag you down. You can maintain high energy and a stable mood while you lose weight if you avoid common mistakes. Here are four smart diet strategies that have worked for my clients
Stress-busting Walking Workout
Ella Brooks
Walking is a step in the right direction for your health -- and it's the perfect form of exercise for busy moms. You can walk anywhere, anytime: Just put on your sneakers and head out the door. Read on to find out how every step you take improves your health and then try our easy, four-week walking workout plan to beat stress
Detox Light
Melanie Haiken
The new detox 'light' is about giving our body a deep dose of the nutritional and physical relief it craves. Discovering what it feels like to follow a healthier regime just might inspire you to make some long-term changes. Here's a step-by-step guide to a better detox
Wean Yourself Off Processed Foods in 7 Steps
Deborah Kotz
Here's a 7-step plan for weaning yourself off processed foods, which have been blamed for the rise in obesity and related conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, in the U.S.
Debunking Detox Diets
Nancy Gottesman
It sounds like a good idea: go on a detox diet to shed pounds and 'purify' your body by eliminating waste products and 'toxins' in your intestines. Internet ads and TV infomercials promise: 'Rapid weight loss and rejuvenation!' -- all with cleansing regimens that combine extreme calorie reduction and laxatives. But really, is this a smart way to lose weight?
Buff up Your Back-to-School Body
The Real College Guide
If you've spent your summer break lying by the pool -- instead of swimming laps in it -- chances are you've lost some of your all-star collegiate athlete muscle. Want to buff up your back-to-school bod? Here are instructions for strength-training exercises, along with a recommended fitness routine
Real Shortcuts to Your Dream Body
Anne Marie O'Connor
Sometimes a girl just doesn't have the time (or money) to do a two-hour workout, hire a personal chef and devote endless hours to primping. We rounded up fitness pros, makeup mavens and lifestyle experts to spill their personal shortcuts to looking -- and feeling -- their best. With these beat-the-clock secrets, you'll feel confident and wonder what to do with all that newfound free time
Exercise for Kids: 5 Tips for Parents
January W. Payne
It's no secret that childhood obesity is a major issue in the United States. At the core of the problem is the fact that less than one third of all children ages 6 to 17 get regular vigorous exercise, defined as at least 20 minutes of physical activity that makes them sweat and breathe hard. So what should parents do to get their kids moving more often? Here are 5 tips to get started
5 Ways to Exercise Safely in the Heat
Hanna Dubansky
Summer is the perfect time to take your workout outdoors. But exercising al fresco does have its caveats. Distances seem longer and hills appear steeper. In the heat, a simple jog can be a grueling test of endurance with potentially fatal consequences. Here are 5 methods for staying safe outdoors this summer
Exercise Your Body and Brain
Deborah Kotz
Maybe you exercise to tone your thighs, build your biceps, or flatten your belly. Or maybe you work out to ward off the big killers like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But how about sweating to improve your mind? If you need a little extra incentive to lace up those sneakers, here are five things that exercise can do to enhance your brainpower
Winning Water-sport Workouts
Joe Stankowski
You'll need to get the hang of good balance before you can hang ten. But you'll also need power and a good deal of stamina. To get those, there are certain exercises you'll need to do beforehand. Whether you ride the surf on a long board or prefer to ride the waves behind a high-powered ski boat, just master this workout, and you'll be chairman of the boards
Fit Exercise Into Your Life
Catherine Ryan
You need to change how you think about exercise. Working out doesn't have to mean monotonous treks on a treadmill or trying to somehow conjure up an extra hour for a gym visit. Check out these strategies for how to fit in exercise and feel motivated to keep up a routine
Conquer the Biggest Mud Runs
Greg Melville
If you think an ordinary 5,000-meter race is kind of boring, just add dirt and water, throw in a few military-style obstacles for good measure, and you've got a mud run. Mud runs are booming in popularity, and popping up in different forms -- and degrees of difficulty -- around the country
Traveling Light: Healthy Eating for Business Junketeers
Lisa Tsakos
Every year, thousands of us travel for business to attend conferences, presentations and meetings. While these journeys are necessary, they involve a great deal of sitting and eating. Meals are often eaten in planes, hotels and automobiles and may lead to weight gain. Here are a few suggestions that will help you make better eating choices on your next business trip
Better Ways to Get Your Produce
Harvard Health
What's better than fruits and vegetables from the supermarket? Those you buy from a local farmer or grow yourself. Frequenting a farmers' market or growing your own produce can give you a new relationship with food, and perhaps with people; be good for your heart and muscles; and help you eat more fruits and vegetables.
Key Foods and Nutrients Especially Beneficial to Your Health
Doug Cook, R.D.
Men have a lot at stake when it comes to their health. Fortunately there are a few foods and nutrients that can be geared toward a man's unique physiology and will go a long way to reduce the risk of many of the health issues they face
Healthy Snacks for Energy
Michelle Perrone
No matter how strong your willpower, snacking is inevitable. So how can you make these daily indulgences healthier? There's nothing that says snacks can't be healthy. Here are five snacks that are not only excellent for you but also contain no added preservatives
Learn How to Read Supplement Labels
Douglas MacKay, N.D.
With what can seem like an endless selection of products and brands, choosing a dietary supplement that fits your lifestyle may seem like a confusing task. However, knowing what to look for on the supplement label can help you understand what product might best help you reach your personal wellness goals. Remember these helpful tips next time you're considering which dietary supplement to take
Omega-3 Foods Don't Always Add Up
Lisa Tsakos
Nutritional trends come and go, but overwhelming evidence continues to support the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, and this has consumers around the world seeking more of this vital nutrient.
The Importance of Decreasing Dietary Sodium
Doug Cook
Lately, sodium seems to be the 'new trans-fat.' The problem is simple: We consume far too much sodium from salt and processed foods. A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that by cutting back on as little as ½ teaspoon of salt a day (1,200-1,500mg of sodium) thousands of lives could be saved by reducing the number of strokes and heart attacks.
Maximum Fitness: CrossFit Training
Karen Asp
Getting fit isn't easy. It takes time, discipline and hard work. But if you're serious about working out, the benefits are worth it. Consider CrossFit. Originally the main strength and conditioning program for police academies, military units, martial artists and professional athletes, CrossFit has widened its appeal to men and women of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels
Push for Healthier Diets Means Big Changes for the Food Industry
Ed Maixner and Martha Lynn Craver
The federal government is leading efforts to get Americans to eat smarter and healthier, and that's going to challenge the food industry on many fronts. New dietary guidelines are now in the works at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Healthy Eating Tips for a Busy Lifestyle
Katrina Bertol
With deadlines to meet, after-work cocktails, frequent dining out, late nights and early mornings, it's easy to forget how simple it is to take control of your health. The following tips will outline some simple ways to enhance your everyday health, boost your metabolism, maintain a healthy weight, increase brain function and start feeling powerful from the inside out
Is Hefty the New Healthy?
Harvard Health
Some studies suggest that extra weight helps older people live longer, but they may be misleading. Weight still matters, but so does the waist. Here's why
When does Knee Replacement Surgery Make Sense
Sarah Baldauf
Getting a new knee because the original has worn out and may have become painfully arthritic is an increasingly common surgery in America. Recent findings are shedding helpful light on knee replacements, including how active one can be with an artificial knee, how young or how old one should be to undergo the surgery, and the varying benefits to be gained
Aerobics Without Heartburn
Karen Asp
You're determined to slim down, especially if it will help your heartburn. Extra weight, after all, increases abdominal pressure, which can exacerbate heartburn symptoms. Problem: Doing aerobics sometimes gives you heartburn. What can you do? Follow these tips for aerobics without heartburn
Nature's Gym: Exercising Outdoors
Eric Butterman
You know staying fit is important, especially if you want to manage your heartburn. But who wants to exercise indoors when it's sunny and warm outside? Fortunately, you don't have to! It's time to try nature's gym for a workout that's just as good, if not better!
The Threat of Childhood Obesity
Jessica Rettig
William Dietz, a medical doctor and pediatrics expert who directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, discusses the nation's problems with childhood obesity and what parents can do to encourage healthy choices by their children
A Lean Mean Stay-fit Exercise Routine
Lauren Joffe
The key to staying active -- and looking fine -- is finding a fitness regimen that motivates you and requires a commitment. Think it's easier said than done? Try stepping into one of these novel activities, and you won't miss a beat
Take the Work Out of Workout
Paul Berger
We've all been there, trudging up a Stairmaster, staring out from an air-conditioned fishbowl, counting down the minutes until we can finally go home. It's no surprise then that going to the gym is a difficult resolution to keep. Being an adult doesn't mean you can't enjoy the favorite sports of your youth -- or discover something new. Here, a few ideas to get you out of the gym
Bounce Back From Spring Break
Nicole Frie
Spring break might be behind you, but reminders of it are everywhere -- a stinging sunburn, exhaustion from late-night parties and maybe even a beer belly where that beach body used to be. With some tips from the experts, your transition from hitting the beach to hitting the books will be an easy one!
Middle-Age Spread and How to Avoid It
Dr. Joey Shulman
A common issue among those trying to lose weight pertains to the so-called middle age spread. 'It's not my fault I can't lose weight,' they say. 'I'm getting older and my waist, hips and thighs refuse to get slimmer.' Is it true? Based on the following facts you might think so. However
Fiber and Weight Loss: Learn the Secrets
Caroline Farquhar
What can you do to help lose the cravings and feel full while reducing calories? The answer is surprisingly simple: fiber.
Weighing the Evidence on 6 Popular Diet Programs
January W. Payne
About 67 percent of U.S. adults age 20 or older are overweight or obese. So many bulging waistlines means quite a market for creators of diet plans. How do you decide which diet plan to try? To help you evaluate the options, we've compiled information on six popular diet plans that have been studied sufficiently to assess their effectiveness
Treadmill Test Can Reveal Hidden Problems in Heart
Harvard Health
One way to judge the health of the heart and the arteries that supply it with oxygen and nutrients is to make them work harder. That's the principle behind one of the most commonly used tests in cardiology, the exercise stress test also known as the exercise tolerance test, treadmill test, or just the stress test
Regular Exercise Helps Protect Aging Brains
Harvard Women's Health Watch
If your New Year's resolve to become more physically active has started to flag, the findings of several studies may help renew your commitment.
Lose Weight and Look Great This Summer
Lisa Tsakos
The basic principle of healthy weight loss remains calories in versus calories expended, but if counting calories was the only way to manage weight, with a little willpower, we would all have the physique we desired. The reality is there are many roads to achieving a healthy weight
Easy Exercises You Can Do At Home
Jennifer O'Neill
In every room of your home is an opportunity to exercise, says Archer. So tap into your multitasking skills and try her easy routine. You can do the moves throughout your day -- just try to do each move one to three times a day, three times per week.
Flat Abs for Heartburn Sufferers
Karen Asp
You're on a quest for flat abs. Trouble is, you suffer from heartburn, and traditional crunches set your chest on fire. Are you doomed to a tubby tummy? Fortunately, no, says Jennifer Cassetty, a certified personal trainer and fitness consultant in New York. When training your core, keep these heartburn-friendly strategies in mind
Is Puberty Affecting Your Athletics?
Girl World Daily
Puberty brings physical changes that might temporarily affect your game. But don't go from player to spectator! Just change your strategy.
Strength Training Relieves Chronic Neck Pain
Harvard Health Watch
Most of us are troubled by neck pain at some
Green Fitness
Karen Asp - Live Right Live Well
You're doing everything you can in your home and office to be more eco-conscious and reduce your carbon footprint. But what about your fitness routine? As it turns out, some simple tweaks to your workout can turn your sweat a little greener. Here are seven ways to make that happen
How Many Crunches are Enough
Kim Schworm Acosta - Live Right Live Well
If you can do 20 crunches correctly, you're not going to get much more benefit out of doing another 30. Instead of striving for mega-repetitions, you'd be better off modifying your crunch to work different muscles. Most important, be sure to avoid these classic mistakes
Fit Your Bike For the Perfect Ride
Greg Melville - Men's Life Today
Want to get more out cycling? You'll need to make your bike an extension of you. Here's how.
Is Boot Camp for You?
Karen Asp - Live Right Live Well
Although boot camps have been around for several years, they're now hotter than ever. In fact, the American Council on Exercise lists boot camp classes among the top fitness trends. So what's behind their popularity?
After-meal Workout
Nicole Gregory - Live Right Live Well
Although exercising on a full stomach may be uncomfortable, it will not harm you or negate the many health benefits associated with working out
Go From Stick to Thick
Ethan Boldt - Men's Life Today
Even the skinniest guys can put on some halfway-respectable mass and muscle if they work it right. So, if you'd like to go from machinist to Batman, follow these quick, effective tips on how to put on the right kind of weight (muscle, not fat). Here's how
The New Science Behind Diet and Weight Loss It's All about Diversity
Sharon Palmer, R.D.
Many claim to be 'the one and only diet,' but that's not what scientific research demonstrates. We investigated the most recent research in weight loss and found a recurring theme: There's more than one way to achieve successful weight loss.
Feeling Fatigued? Try Exercise!
Karen Asp - Live Right Live Well
You're exhausted. The last thing you want to do is exercise. Yet here's the irony: A new study confirms that just a little bit of physical activity -- even a brief stroll -- will combat fatigue and give you an instant rush of energy that will last for hours.
Sports Injuries: Many Preventable & Most Respond Well to Treatment
Harvard Health Letters
Sports Injuries do occur, but many are preventable, most are mild, and the majority respond nicely to simple treatment at home. Here's an exerciser's guide with key tips for prevention and dealing with common injuries
Are You Fit or Fat?
Live Right Live Well
For the past several decades, the standard quick-and-dirty test for obesity has been the Body Mass Index (BMI). Sure it's easy -- all you need is a calculator -- but is it accurate? More and more, experts are acknowledging the limitations of the BMI formula. These include
Tai Chi: Secret to Health and Well-being
Live Right Live Well
Looking for a gentle way to exercise that's unlikely to aggravate your heartburn? Consider tai chi. Once a secret Chinese martial art taught only to trusted disciples, tai chi is now practiced for its many health benefits by people all over the world.
Full Without Food: Drug Therapy May Someday Replace Obesity Surgery
Claire Ainsworth
We're now starting to realize that the gut plays a bigger role in appetite and blood-sugar regulation than previously thought. Several groups are trying to develop drugs that enable people to get the effects of surgery without having to undergo any operation.
Oh, My Aching Knees!
Live Right Live Well
Will taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements help my aching knees?
Fitness: Walk the Nordic Way
Live Right Live Well: Fitness
'Trying to ski on asphalt?' I laugh. By now I've heard all the jokes. Sometimes it's 'Where's the snow?' I can't blame these people. After all, walking with two long poles, one in each hand, does look goofy. But if they knew the benefits of Nordic walking, I doubt they'd be so quick to laugh.
Fitness: Workout With Your Better Half
Live Right Live Well: Fitness
Everyone knows working out with a buddy can help you stick with exercise, but when that buddy is also your spouse, the rewards can be even more gratifying. Interested in making your partner your exercise buddy? Make it work by following these seven strategies
Can Video Games Count as Exercise?
Live Right Live Well: Fitness
Not long ago, playing video games provided good exercise for kids' thumbs -- and not much else. Now, a new generation of more active video games, like Wii Sports, is changing all that. The big question on everyone's mind: Can these new active video games help you, your spouse and your kids get (or stay) fit?
Get Strong With Olympic Lifts
Ethan Boldt - Men's Life Today
Just because you're not ski-jumping, speed skating, luging or curling, doesn't mean you can't train like an Olympian. We're talking weighlifting techniques called Olympic lifts -- a routine that well-respected exercise physiologists and personal trainers swear by for everyday gym warriors. Just a few of these classic moves go a long way to build strength, speed and agility.
Fitness: Are You Getting Enough Exercise?
Wendy Korn Heppt - Live Right Live Well
Exercise will keep you healthy. Any activity is better than none, and more activity is better than a little. To maximize overall health, the CDC recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity five or more days a week. To get the most benefit with the least time and effort, consider these six ways to crank up your workout routine.
Fitness: Do Exercise Machines Lie?
Stacey Colino - Live Right Live Well
You've just had a hard-core tryst with a stair-climber. The machine informs you that you've burned 250 calories. Is it telling the truth? Maybe not! Researchers are discovering hidden factors that can cause exercise machines to report less-than-accurate results. In fact, the margin for error can be as high as 30 percent
Fitness: Picking a Gym
Michael Castleman - Live Right Live Well
Resolving to exercise is especially important if you have heartburn, since extra pounds and excess stress can aggravate symptoms, and exercise can help with both. Unfortunately, some people don't stick with their gym -- and wind up wasting money. To increase your chances of reaching your goals, it's important to pick a health club that's right for you. Here's 15 questions and tips to help decide
Fitness: How to Lose a Gut and Keep It Off!
John Hanc - Live Right Live Well
So you've put on a few pounds and gotten yourself a beer belly. Even worse, it's making your heartburn worse! Forget fat-burning pills and belly-reducing gadgets. The real secret to losing that tummy lies not in a bottle or some magical exercise machine, but between your ears. Here's how you really bust a gut
Fitness: Best Ways to Beat Exercise-related Heartburn
Karen Asp - Live Right Live Well
You're trying to stick with a regular exercise program, but every time you work out, you get heartburn. The pain is so bad that it's hard for you to stay physically active. In fact, you're tempted to kick the exercise habit completely. Not so fast. With a few tweaks to your lifestyle habits and exercise choices, you can work up a sweat without working up your heartburn.
The Ready-for-anything Workout
Ethan Boldt - Men's Life Today
Want to be fit enough to conquer Tibet's highest mountains? Or maybe 'just' pass a fireman's fitness test? All you have to do is master this exercise regimen.
Alert: You're Pushing Yourself Too Hard
Ethan Boldt - Men's Life Today
It's not just macho to push yourself to the limit -- it's considered cool. But how do you know if you're about to take your body beyond that limit and into dangerous territory? Especially in hot weather, there are risks you should you know about. As long as you can read your body's signs, you can prepare for pushing it without going over the top. Here, your body's warning signs and what to do
Walk Away the Pregnancy Pounds
Karen Asp - Live Right Live Well
Pregnancy pounds. Baby weight. No matter what you call it, it's probably on your mind if you're a new mom. And while many exercise options can help you get back in shape, few offer the triple benefits of stroller walking. Want to try it? Here's how to get started
Under the Microscope: The Nutrition - Gene Connection
Victoria Shanta Retelny, R.D., L.D.N.
When it comes to how the body processes nutrients, each person's unique genetic makeup determines how their cells respond to what they eat. Genes can explain a number of nutritional phenomena, such as why some people can adhere to a low-saturated fat and high-plant food diet, yet still be prone to high blood cholesterol levels
Recommended Exercises for Knee Pain Depend on Cause of Pain
Matthew Butters, M.D., Mayo Clinic
What are the best exercises for sufferers of knee pain? While I can recommend some general exercises and activities the most beneficial regimen will depend on the cause of the knee pain. Knee pain has numerous causes. Two of the most common are osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Here's a look at exercises for osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome
Health Benefits
Picking Through the Latest Science on Berries and Health Benefits
Sharon Palmer, R.D.
The health halo that crowns berries--the original 'superfruit'--hasn't slipped a bit over the years. Ever since it was discovered that berries have very high total antioxidant capacity, the public has had a veritable love fest with berries, making them its favorite fruit. Here's a guide to the health benefits of berries
Healthier Living: Strive for Fitness of Mind and Body
Randy Boyer and Andrea Donsky
Working out more and eating healthier are typical New Year's resolutions, but healthier living isn't just about your body - it's also about a healthier state of mind. Resolving to be healthier in both mind and body is an admirable goal, and it's within anyone's reach. The first step toward a healthier mind and body is ...
Losing Weight is a Group Effort
Lisa Tsakos
If you've given up on your New Year's pledge to better manage weight and eating habits, it could be because you're taking the process too personally. Lifestyle and diet changes occur when you're ready for them. Getting the support of those around you is critical when you're trying to lose weight.
Fitness
Fitness: Get a Healthier Body and Mind
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer
There's nothing like a new year to pack gyms across the country. Working out more and eating healthier are typical New Year's resolutions, but healthier living isn't just about your body - it's also about a healthier state of mind.
Fitness: Gastric Banding Not Stand-Alone Weight Loss Solution
Mayo Clinic
Bariatric surgery is a general term used to describe operations that help a person lose weight more consistently and effectively. The two most common types of bariatric surgery performed in the United States are adjustable gastric banding -- sometimes called lap band surgery -- and gastric bypass surgery.
Five Easy Healthy Diet Eating Habits to Adopt
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer
As the New Year begins and while motivation is high, this is the perfect time to establish a few new healthy habits. Begin with your current lifestyle and either change a negative pattern, add a positive one, or both. Drastic changes in lifestyle or diet don't usually stick, but these new practices are worth a try
Simple Sopa Azteca (Chicken Tortilla Soup)
Recipes for Health: Can What You Eat Stave Off the Flu?
John La Puma, M.D.
My patient Rachel is taking a bite out of the flu. Now, with most of the flu season past, she wanted to know: Are there really foods she could load up on to help her avoid the flu and not make her gain weight? The answer is yes -- my Chicken Tortilla Soup recipes really does have healing properties and is also low in calories.
Cardiac Rehab Boosts Heart Health
Harvard Health
After having a heart attack or heart surgery, one of the best things you can do for your heart and your long-term health is to go through a cardiac rehabilitation program
Fitness: Six-Pack Abs for Less
Joan Goldwasser
Losing weight and getting in shape are common New Year's resolutions. But before you commit to a pricey gym membership that you might rarely use, try a few on for size, read their contracts carefully, and ask lots of questions. Otherwise, the only thing that might get thinner is your wallet.
Are Isometric Exercises Safe For the Heart
Richard Lee, M.D. - Harvard Health
Long ago, I was told that isometric exercises, like weight lifting, shouldn't be done by anyone with a heart condition. Is that still the prevailing wisdom?
Fitness - Swimming: A Sport For All Seasons
Harvard Health
It's no surprise that swimming is one of the most popular ways to retain -- or regain -- physical and psychological fitness.
The Official Mayo Clinic Diet Program
Donald Hensrud, M.D.
Physicians and researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a dietary program that we can endorse. We believe there's enough evidence in the scientific literature and enough experience with it here at Mayo Clinic that we feel comfortable putting Mayo's name on this program. This is the official Mayo Clinic Diet.
Congress Fights Obesity With Healthcare Bills
Kent Garber
In 2018, more than half the adults in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, and South Dakota could be obese. That's just one of many alarming projections in a study released last week by Kenneth Thorpe, and it comes, appropriately, as Congress is grappling with how to best reform a healthcare system that is becoming wildly and unsustainably expensive.
How to Avoid Weight Gain During the Holidays
Lisa Tsakos
'Tis the season of decadent foods, overeating and weight gain. Many folks will put on anywhere from three to seven pounds in December alone. Why is it the holidays always seem to interfere with our best eating intentions? Rather than allowing food to ruin the festivities, these simple tips can help you maintain control of your diet and health
Careful Food Choices Can Lower Your Cholesterol
Harvard Health
It's easy to eat your way to an alarmingly high cholesterol level. The reverse is true, too. Changing what you eat can lower your cholesterol and improve the armada of fats floating through your bloodstream. Doing this requires a two-pronged strategy ...
Workout Wisdom for Those Over 40
Katherine Hobson
Whether you're planning to bike cross-country after you retire or you haven't put on sneakers since you were 6, there are things you need to know about exercising. Get comfortable. Find activities that are right for you. It's not all about aerobics. Start slowly, and embrace recovery. Switch it up. Mind old injuries. Don't underestimate yourself.
Exercise and dieting aside, behavior and biology appear to have a real influence on weight
Sarah Baldauf
Weight loss depends largely on getting the balance right between calories consumed and calories burned. Yet, as evidenced by individuals' struggle to control weight and also by the nation's alarmingly increased rate of overweight and obese residents in recent decades, mastering this seemingly simple formula is no small task. Here are factors that may be working against your efforts to control your own weight
Want to Age Well? Avoid Midlife Weight Gain
Deborah Kotz
Being overweight in middle age reduces your likelihood of gliding into your 70s without any health problems like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. It also reduces your odds of being able to walk up a flight of stairs or get through your day without crying. Certainly, body weight plays a role in long-term health, but it doesn't tell the whole story ...
Do Your Genes Determine Which Diet Means Weight-Loss Success?
Katherine Hobson
The more science learns about the marvelous diversity among human beings -- fueled by genetic, environmental, and other factors -- the clearer it becomes that a one-size-fits-all approach to diet is bound to fail
Counting Every Step You Take
Pedometer Powerful Exercise Motivator
Harvard Health Letters
Research has shown that pedometers are a good motivational tool, although maybe not by themselves. Several randomized trials show that it's the combination of wearing a pedometer and having a goal that's most effective. A common one is 10,000 steps a day, which is equivalent to about five miles, depending on the length of your stride
Fitness: Strength Training A Healthy Addition to Your Exercise Regimen
Harvard Health Letters
Physical activity guidelines say all American adults should be doing muscle-building exercises at least twice a week. These exercises are supposed to be of moderate or high intensity and involve all major muscle groups. They would most commonly involve a light weight-lifting program of some kind.
Personal Trainer: Walking - DS
David Thomas, Crispy Gamer
In case you missed this oddball trifle from Nintendo, the basic idea is that you walk around with a small digital pedometer in your pocket or clipped to your purse, and every day you sync the little doodad with your Nintendo DS. A creepy Mii then gives you fitness advice, shows you a graph of how many steps you have taken, and describes your walking pattern in terms of an animal.
Hamstrung! How to Prevent and Help Heal Hamstring Injuries
Katherine Hobson
This season, hamstring injuries have benched at least four members of the New York Mets. Then it got personal: my boyfriend started hobbling after one of our outdoor workouts, having suffered his own mild hamstring pull. What is this injury, anyway? And what makes everyone from pro athletes to weekend warriors susceptible to it?
Why You Should Think Twice Before Using Alli or Other Weight Loss Aids
Deborah Kotz
When it comes to losing weight, we'd all love that quick fix: a pill, shake, heck, even surgery to ease our efforts. Unfortunately, weight-loss aids -- even when approved by the Food and Drug Administration -- come with risks as well as benefits.
13 Ways to Add Fruits and Vegetables to Your Diet
Harvard Health Letters
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is a cornerstone of good health. It helps control blood pressure and cholesterol, keeps arteries flexible, protects bones, and is good for the eyes, brain, digestive system, and just about every other part of the body. But many of us have trouble putting that knowledge into practice and getting five or more servings per day.
Need To Lose Weight? 10 Ways to Conquer Emotional Eating
January W. Payne
Do you blindly turn to food as a source of comfort when you're feeling upset? Since emotional overeating doesn't provide any lasting satisfaction and can lead to health problems, it's far better to find other ways to deal with the stresses of daily life. That's the premise of a book out this month ...
Smart Choices Program Aiming to Improve Food Purchasing Decisions
Katherine Hobson
The Smart Choices program puts a green check on the front of products produced by participating manufacturers as long as the foods meet certain nutritional standards. (It also shows calories and serving size.) The program replaces the individual guidance systems that some companies had used.
Foods Surprisingly High in Added Sugar
Sarah Baldauf
Added sugars, which are sprinkled on and processed into packaged foods and beverages, have become all too common in the American diet, says the American Heart Association. The group argues that sugar bingeing is helping drive the uptick in metabolic changes in the American population, including the exploding obesity rate, and has now recommended an upper limit on daily consumption ...
Snacks Can Be Part of a Healthful Diet
Katherine Hobson
It used to be that someone who wanted to lose weight was advised to stick to three square meals a day. For adults, at least, snacking was considered an unnecessary source of extra calories, and if you were hungry between meals, well, tough; you'd just have to wait for the next one. Nowadays, it's a rare diet plan that doesn't include planned snacks.
Nutrition 101: Good Eating for Good Health
Good eating is not a punishment, but an opportunity. If you know why it's important and what to do, you'll find it enjoyable and satisfying. And if you establish an overall pattern of healthful nutrition, you'll have plenty of wiggle room to savor the treats that matter most to you.
Natural Cuisine From Around the World
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer
It's no secret that people who follow traditional styles of eating are generally healthier than those of us who've adopted a Western-style diet. Cultures that enjoy diets that are based on natural foods, whole grains, fish, and limited unhealthy fats continue to reap the health rewards.
6 Reasons Your Athletic Performance May Be Lagging
Katherine Hobson
Athletic performance decline has a variety of possible explanations, most temporary and fixable but some more serious. Here's a field guide to what might be keeping you from doing your best.
5 Lessons for Over-35 Athletes From Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres
Katherine Hobson
Dara Torres is a role model for those who aspire to athletic success over the age of 35. Torres took up that mantle during the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and still holds it a year later. As Dara's profile rose, people clamored to know her secrets. They want to know about how she trains, what she eats, how she managed to compete in last week's world championships against people less than half her age -- and, yes, how she has that body after giving birth to a child.
Smart Snacking Key to Combating Obesity
Deborah Kotz
Big news today: We're getting fatter. Obesity rates in adults increased in 23 states and didn't decrease in a single state over the past year. Here's some types to help us all from the temptations of snacking.
Check Nutrition Labels Before You Buy
Lisa Tsakos
Manufacturers are required to declare the nutrition (both good and bad) in each serving of their product. Nutrition Facts are broken down into easy-to-read sections. They are listed and explained as follows ...
Tai Chi Health Benefits
Harvard Fitness Health Watch
This gentle form of exercise can prevent or ease many ills of aging and could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life.
Tai chi is often described as meditation in motion, but it might well be called medication in motion.
5 Lessons From the Nation's Obesity Report Card
Katherine Hobson
We're still getting fatter, albeit at a slightly slower rate. That's the chief takeaway from a yearly report on the U.S. obesity epidemic, which found that rates of obesity rose in 23 states (last year, rates rose in 37 states). Almost two thirds of states now have adult obesity rates above 25 percent, according to the report
Common Queries About Weight Loss
While we know there's no such thing as a quick fix that amounts to permanent weight reduction, there are right and wrong approaches. The right approaches involve replacing unnecessary calories with natural, nutrient-dense foods and increasing physical activity
Weight Loss Drugs & Diet Pills Have Many Drawbacks
I wish we had a diet pill that could help people lose weight easily. None of the medicines on the market are worth using, if you ask me
Exercise Boosts Your Brainpower; Intensity May Matter
In an attempt to hang on to your cognitive function as you age, you may do crossword puzzles, join a book club, or keep up friendships to stay connected. But to do all you can to maintain your mental abilities, you really should be exercising.
3 Tips for Boosting Your Fitness as You Age: One Triathlete's Advice
It's easy to think that athletic improvement after age 40 is something reserved for those who can afford to spend the time and money it takes to
train full time. Debi Bernardes, a swimming and triathlon coach in King George, Va., was asked what she's done to keep
improving after three decades of competition. Here's what she thinks makes a difference, plus how you can apply it to your own training.
Smart Fitness for Grown-Ups: Tips for the Over-40 Exerciser
Whether you're looking forward to riding your bike across the country after you retire or you
haven't put on sneakers since you were 6, there are things you need to know about exercising after the age of 40.
Swimming: Take the Plunge for Your Heart
Any kind of exercise is better for your heart than no exercise at all.
Walking isn't necessarily the best exercise for the heart and general good health, but it's the best option for the greatest
number of people. More vigorous activities do even more for the heart than walking. The lion's share of research has focused
on running. Two new studies from the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas, highlight the health benefits of swimming.
JUKARI Fit to Fly Workout
In 1989, Reebok revolutionized women's fitness with the creation of Step Reebok.
Today, the company revealed its new launch of an innovative gym workout - JUKARI Fit to Fly.
JUKARI Fit to Fly makes fitness fun again by introducing a new way to move in a gym workout and is accessible to
all women, regardless of fitness levels.
Walking A Step in the Right Direction
Walking is one of the easiest ways to be physically active.
A brisk-paced walk can help you feel better, increase energy, and pick up your spirits.
Walking is a simple and flexible way to improve your health, and it�s practically free.
You can walk alone or with friends, indoors or outdoors, on a city sidewalk or a country trail, any time of the year.
Brisk walking can help control your weight, lower cholesterol, strengthen your heart, and reduce the likelihood of serious health problems in the future.
Power of Positive Thinking Is Psychology's Latest Focus
Positive psychology itself is a relatively nascent field. Formally founded a decade ago by the
University of Pennsylvania's Martin Seligman, its emphasis on what goes right with people was a sea-change from psychology's
traditional preoccupation with what goes wrong -- from depression and anxiety to mental illness of all flavors. ...
Drinking Coffee May Be Good for You
Despite past concerns about coffee, tea, and other sources of caffeine being detrimental to health, recent research suggests that regular coffee consumption may reduce the risk of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and liver cancer--and regular coffee drinkers might even live longer.
Energy Drinks Can Have a Variety of Adverse Effects on the Body
Having an occasional energy drink isn't necessarily bad, especially those that contain about the same amount of caffeine as a cup or two of coffee and a similar
amount of sugar as a can of soda. But many energy drinks contain much higher amounts of caffeine and other substances.
The Integrated Approach to Weight Loss
Two-thirds of American adults are overweight and one in three are considered to be obese. An integrative approach can be an effective strategy for losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight.
Spring Into Health With WIN Fitness
Taking better care of yourself doesn't have to be a grueling process. People often associate healthy eating and exercise with pain and suffering. However, simple changes to your eating and physical activity habits can make the process easier. The Weight-control Information Network (WIN), a program that provides the general public, health professionals, the media and Congress with up-to-date, science-based information on weight control, obesity, physical activity and related nutritional issues, suggests these tips to put you on the fast track to better health.
Play it Safe When it Comes To Concussions
More than 38 million boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 18 participate in organized youth sports. And while sports can be a fun way to socialize and instill values such as teamwork, physical activity can also mean potential for injuries.
Fitness Programs Help Employees Shape Up
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a challenge for millions of Americans. Between hectic work schedules,
long commutes and juggling family and job responsibilities, most people say they cannot find time to exercise. In fact,
according to a Physical Activity Survey recently conducted by AARP, 50 percent of people age 18 years and older said that
lack of time prevents them from being active.
Create a Home Fitness Plan that Works
The Spinner Sport enables a low-impact, cardiovascular workout that burns as many as 500 calories in 40 minutes.
The Top 10 Places to Take a Walk
Love to walk? You might be living in one of the nation's 10 most walker-friendly cities. The American Podiatric Medical Association has released this year's list of top walking cities in the country.
30-Minute Circuit Training Program Saves Time and Burns Calories
In the age of 50-hour work weeks, it's easy to let fitness fall by the wayside. In fact, the number one reason why most people do not lead active lifestyles is because of a perceived lack of time. For this reason, 30-minute workouts are becoming increasingly popular.
Beat Aches & Pains with These Outdoor Activity Tips
When beautiful, sunny weather replaces the gray skies of winter, many take advantage by getting outside and participating in a variety of activities such as gardening, golfing and hiking. But after the fun is over, aches and pains can kick in which can considerably decrease your sunny, outdoor activities.
Help for Tired Muscles, Achy Joints
Fitness can really punish your body, especially your knees and other joints. This can be difficult to deal with, not only for athletes at the top of their game, but also for active seniors who enjoy such sports as golf or tennis.
Heading to the Gym? Follow These Hygiene Tips
After a workout, change out of your sweat-soaked clothes as soon as possible.
Nutrition Tops List of Consumer Concerns
As the baby boom generation turns 60 and beyond, health and wellness concerns are spiking. According to a recent survey, four in five consumers are more concerned about health, nutrition and fitness than they were a year ago, but nutrition beat out fitness as the top priority for the first time.
Make a Connection With Your Teen
Talking with teenagers about their health isn't always a parent's or a teen's favorite conversation. But parents have more influence on their teen's health than they think, according to researchers with the Prevention Research Centers (PRC) network.
Alcohol Health Benefit or Health Risk?
We've all heard the news about the potential heart-health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. It's no wonder such stories grab headlines.
Lisa Tsakos
Mary Pickett, M.D.
Katherine Hobson
by Katherine Hobson
By Katherine Hobson
Health, Fitness & Exercise
Reebok & Cirque du Soleil Partnership Creates Innovative Gym Workout
Lindsay Lyon
January W. Payne
By Martha Grogan, M.D.- Mayo Clinic Medical Edge
Health & Nutrition