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How Social Health Games Can Make You Trimmer and Fit
Researchers are seeing real benefits in the growing popularity of social games, created to connect people with friends and strangers alike to improve health and fitness through contests, prizes, and friendly peer pressure
A surprising new study suggests you may live a shorter life if you sit too much. Are you at risk?
Learn how to minimize wear and tear on your joints to keep up your favorite activities for years to come
Yoga Stretches That Improve Your Health
Research shows that yoga helps ease stress and may even fend off sniffles. Here, a 15-minute daily routine that will get results
Doga is a new way to partner with your pet to experience the physical (and humans say spiritual too) benefits of yoga. All people and dogs can practice doga -- fit or fat, large or small, young or old
Holiday Workouts: Try Interval Training
With the flurry of holiday parties and shopping, it can be easy to slack off on exercise this time of year. Instead, make your workouts more efficient with interval training
Stay Fit and Trim All Winter Long
Here's our best tips on how to stay healthy and happy during those long months of sleet and snow
Support is Slim for Supplements
Americans are an impatient bunch. We prefer a quick fix over a slow solution to our problems. And when it comes to weight loss, it's no different. Rather than endure lifestyle changes that involve sacrifice and waiting for results, many of us would rather pop a weight-loss supplement pill or endure painful injections if it means quicker, faster, better
Healthy Nutrition for Flexible Joints
When your joints are happy, you don't even know they're there. But if they are inflamed with arthritis, the condition can be painful and debilitating. Although the first line of defense for arthritis is medication, research is unfolding about the effects of diet on joint health. The following diet and lifestyle changes may help soothe arthritis symptoms
Harness the Power of Plants in Your Diet
Make way for the plant-based diet, the latest buzzword for an optimal diet that focuses on plants, such as grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, rather than a diet of animal products like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Health experts extol the virtues of a plant-based diet as a healthy eating style
The 6 Ways to Avoid Middle-age Spread
A single extra pound may not sound like a lot, but when you consider that the average adult American gains one extra pound per year, it becomes clear why middle-age spread is so insidious and common. Fortunately, middle-age spread is not inevitable and can, in fact, be prevented. Here's how
Do Weight Loss Apps and Websites Really Work?
From calorie counters to exercise logs, our expert discusses the best online tools to help you shed pounds
Weight-Loss Surgery Can Help -- And Harm -- The Heart
Weight-loss operations that change how the stomach and intestines digest food have been hailed as a potential lifesaver for people who are severely overweight. But these benefits, which accrue only with a lifelong commitment to healthy eating and exercise, must be balanced against possible risks
Are My Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Changing Normally During Exercise?
For the first few minutes, as I walk at a modest pace, my systolic blood pressure rises from 115 to 130 or so, while my heart rate hardly changes from its usual 60-something beats per minute. But when I start walking faster, my systolic pressure stays steady or sometimes goes down a bit, while my heart rate increases to 110. Is this a normal pattern?
Strong Nutrition to Fuel Fitness
It's not just athletes whose performance hinges on good nutrition. Even casual exercisers and fitness enthusiasts get a big payoff from smart meal planning. Your diet determines whether your workouts buff you up or wipe you out. Read on to learn how to make your meals and snacks work for your workout, and how to avoid some typical food-exercise blunders
Turbocharge Your Exercise Routine
You don't need to go to a fancy gym or hire a pricey personal trainer to get better results from your workout. My research and experience as a trainer has shown that you can burn more calories, build more muscle and have more energy just by making a few simple changes that won't cost you a penny. Follow this game plan
Fab Functional Foods Pack An Extra Healthy Punch
Welcome to the world of 'functional' foods -- food and food components that provide a health benefit beyond basic nutrition. These foods provide nutrients and bioactive compounds that exceed what's necessary for mere survival by imparting particular health benefits or physiological effects
As you probably know, trying to shoehorn exercise into an already packed schedule only ends in I'll-do-it-tomorrow pledges and missed workouts. Check out these strategies for how to fit in exercise and feel motivated to keep up a routine
Lessons About Leptin, Weight, and Your Eating Environment
If you've ever struggled with your weight, you know how difficult the fight is. You cut back on calories and drop 10 pounds, only to see your weight creep back up to where it was before. You could swear that your body has some magical number in mind for your weight despite your best efforts to keep it off. Now scientists believe your suspicions might actually be accurate
Choosing the Right Shoes to Prevent Injuries
Just because a new sneaker is trendy doesn't mean it's healthy. In fact, wearing the wrong shoe can lead to aches, pains and even more problematic injuries (shin splints, stress fractures) that last long after your workout. I suggest choosing the right shoes based on your foot type and the type of activity you plan to do. Here's some important tips to keep in mind
Are You Fatter Than You Think?
So how do you find out if you're fatter than you think you are and need to lose weight? A good place to start is your BMI (body mass index)
4 Things Women Should Be Doing in Their Training
If your workouts consist of doing light weights and steady-state cardio, you might be in for some bad news: These things alone won't likely get you the results you're after. To increase your fitness level, burn fat, and improve muscle tone, you've got to step up your game. Here are four things women tend to skip that can deliver serious results
Need to slip on a swimsuit or squeeze into shorts anytime soon? Hopefully you're already on a healthful eating and exercise plan. But if you're still looking for a little extra boost, forget about the latest and not-so-greatest fads. Try one of these unconventional weight loss tips that really work
Pre-Sports Checkup Can Prevent Sudden Death Among Athletes
Sports, and the physical fitness needed to participate in them, provide an extra layer of cardiovascular protection by strengthening the heart, improving the lungs, and making arteries more supple. Sometimes, though, something goes horribly wrong and an athlete suddenly dies while engaged in his or her sport
You Can Fight Menopausal Spread
Three different women; three similar journeys through menopause. Is the menopausal weight issue an inevitable annoyance, or can it be avoided? Here's a look at the science on the complicated issue of weight gain during menopause
Spring is the perfect time to step up foot-powered transportation. Whether it's in the park or around the neighborhood, walking is a great way to get some exercise, reduce your carbon footprint and bond with your kids. But there's more than one way to walk!
Is a juice fast a good way to lose weight?
Juice fasts go up and down in popularity, depending on how many celebrities are on them. But they are always an unhealthy way to lose weight -- and often an unpleasant one as well. Here's why
The Best Breakfast for Weight Loss
Turns out numerous studies have shown that breakfast isn't just good for your brain; it can help you lose weight too. Researchers surmise that's because eating breakfast helps keep you full longer, reduces cravings and curbs overeating. But what kind of breakfast is best for weight loss?
One of the keys to looking -- and feeling -- confident is standing up straight. These four simple, do-anywhere moves can keep your spine in top form. Bonus: You'll also feel lighter and more flexible
Walking Clubs: The Ultimate Adult Sports Teams
Tired of working out alone? Looking to freshen up your exercise routine? Consider a walking club. Walking clubs are an ideal way to stay fit and social at the same time. Plus, being a team member means you stick with an exercise routine because you're accountable to others
5 Cheap Alternatives to Hiring a Personal Trainer
If you can't afford a personal trainer -- or don't want one -- there are a number of exercise and nutrition resources available on the Internet. For some, the convenience and social support of surfing for fitness guidance online can make it just as effective as working with a trainer in person. Here's a guide for how to use (and not to use) today's top online fitness tools
Now is the best time to amp up your fitness routine. This yoga-cardio combo is a serious calorie scorcher and body strengthener. Plus, studies show that regular exercise helps release endorphins, the feel-good hormones
Stop Wasting Your Workout Time
If you think you're too busy to hit the gym, it's probably because your workout is needlessly long. Use these tips to streamline your next session so you won't waste any of your precious workout time, and you'll be in and out of the gym before you know it
The Best Exercises to Boost Your Metabolism
Can't seem to lose those last few pounds, even with diet and exercise? Your metabolism could be to blame. By making some simple changes to your exercise routine, you can boost your metabolism and help your body burn more calories, even when you're resting. Here are top tips for revving up your routine, plus the best exercises to boost your metabolism
Mindful Eating: Savoring Your Food Has Physical and Psychological Benefits
A small yet growing body of research suggests that a slower, more thoughtful way of eating could help with weight problems and steer some people away from processed food to more healthful choices. This alternative approach has been dubbed 'mindful eating'
How Morning Exercise Can Boost Your Career
In their book, 'Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements,' co-authors Tom Rath and Jim Harter examined the qualities and habits that contribute to high levels of wellbeing in the social, career, financial, physical, and community elements of life. When it comes to daily habits for physical wellbeing, morning exercise is hard to beat
Take the 'Small Steps' Challenge to Discover a Healthier You
Did you know that shaving off 100 calories per day -- that's skipping a small cookie or swapping 8 ounces of sweetened soda for water -- can amount to a 10 pound weight loss over a year? Little changes like these are at the heart of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) public health program, aptly named Small Steps
What Comes First: Build Muscle or Shed Fat?
You want to get rid of the flab. You also want to put on muscle. But you know that you can't optimally (or even remotely) do both at the same time. So what plan should you embark on first? The answer depends entirely on the following
Health and Wellness With Doctor Oz
Do you ever wish your best friend was a doctor who would answer any question about dieting and exercise, from losing 5 pounds to whether pricey antioxidants are really necessary? We chatted with successful heart surgeon and TV expert Dr. Mehmet Oz, and that is exactly what we discussed
The post-workout meal is an important source of nourishment and replenishment for an athlete's body. And being in college doesn't have to mean missing out on this essential feast after you head back from the gym. Take a look at these nutritious recipes, all of which easily can be made
2011 Fitness Trends: What's In, What's Out
Fitness is always in, but the hunt for a magic way to achieve a healthy heart or a taut butt or abs with the most gain and the least pain never ends. Here's a look at what's on top in fitness trends -- and a few former hot picks that are cooling off
If getting more exercise was on your New Year's Resolution list again this year, ensure your success by including your canine companion. Your dog is not only a great motivator, but exercise provides mental and physical benefits for both of you
4 Things Women Should Be Doing in Their Training But Are Not
If your workouts consist of doing light weights and steady-state cardio, you might be in for some bad news: These things alone won't likely get you the results you're after, say experts. To increase your fitness level, burn fat, and improve muscle tone, you've got to step up your game. Here are four things women tend to skip that can deliver serious results
Champions share a hard-to-define quality. It's a combination of competitive drive, focus and desire that makes them winners -- in sports, in the classroom and in life. You want to be that guy, but perhaps you think you can't be. Maybe you believe that the winners of the world are born, not made. If so, think again. Here's how to develop the competitive drive and mental toughness of a champion
Shape up With Family-friendly Fitness
The mere mention of starting a family-wide fitness routine may send everyone running for cover. But incorporating more physical activity into your family life doesn't have to be a painful and serious undertaking. Here are three family-friendly fitness moves to get fit and have fun -- together
Can Yoga Really Help Me Maintain a Healthy Weight?
It's not because of the calories you burn. It's because regular yoga practice encourages mindful eating, a nonjudgmental awareness of the physiological sensations and psychological motivations that are associated with eating. In other words, practicing yoga can help you eat only when you're hungry and stop when you're full
Can Eating Slowly Really Help Me Lose Weight?
When the women ate slowly, they consumed an average of 67 fewer calories, but felt fuller afterward. How is this possible?
Get Moving With a New Fitness Gadget
Need a little help getting motivated to exercise? Here are three new tools that will help keep your workout fun and fresh all winter long and beyond
5 Ways to Fire up Your Metabolism
Everyone longs for one of those I-can-eat-anything-and-not-gain-an-ounce metabolisms. Unfortunately, those are rare. But there are ways to increase your body's ability to burn calories, so I advise all my clients to add the following metabolism boosters to their routine. Try one or more to help you maximize your own weight loss efforts
Most people who diet regain what they've lost -- fueling a belief that it's nearly impossible to lose weight permanently. But this simply isn't true! To prove it, two researchers decided to investigate the fraction of folks who lose weight and keep it off successfully. So if the following beliefs have been weighing you down, take heart. You can overcome them, because they're simply not true
About half of Americans make new year's resolutions, but research shows that 80 percent of those resolutions go down the drain by Valentine's Day. Being a successful exception starts with how you word the resolution. Use these examples to get yours just right
Make Life-changing Resolutions a Reality
I find that the middle of January is the hardest to get through when it comes to resolutions. It's easy to drop the ball because your initial enthusiasm for making the change starts to fade, and you might not yet have seen positive results to motivate you. So how can you help yourself stick with it? Use my tried-and-true tips for making your life-changing resolutions a lasting reality
The Stubborn Belly-fat Solution
You've tried it all: cutting down the carbs, eating endless amounts of chicken breast, exercising like mad. So why are those infernal love handles -- not to mention that below-the-belly-button roll of fat -- still there? The following program was designed to give you the best of both worlds
Lose Weight Faster With Mushrooms
Okay, so a basket of mixed earthy mushrooms isn't exactly as eye-grabbing as a bowl of juicy cherries. And yet nutrient-wise, this homely little superfood can compete with the best and the brightest of fruits and vegetables. What's more, a new study suggests these plain-but-powerful fungi can help you drop weight faster
High-tech Help for Weight Loss
We've got some cutting-edge solutions to get your body shaken and stirred. Take a look at the gadgets you need to make 2011 the year your get-fit resolution becomes a reality
Osteoporosis is entirely preventable with the appropriate dietary and lifestyle measures -- that is, promoting bone-building and avoiding factors that contribute to bone loss. Here are some effective strategies for bone-building with diet
10 Ways to Stay Healthy During Holiday Travel
Chances are, you'll be traveling during the holiday season to reconnect with family and friends or take a much-needed vacation. While holiday travel (or any other type of travel) can be great for your psyche, it can take a hefty toll on your health. Here are 10 tips for dealing with holiday travel, provided by leading fitness and travel experts
Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRPT) is an unproven approach to treating chronic pain due to orthopedic injuries. Here's why
Yoga Does the Body and Mind Good
Perhaps it's a testament to the power of yoga that so many spin-offs have emerged -- dozens since it originated some 6,000 years ago. There's laughter yoga, which turns humor into a healing power, AcroYoga, which revolves around flying, and hot yoga, taught in a 105-degree studio. Even naked yoga is catching on, described by followers as a therapeutic way to burst out of the confines of clothing
Stiff joints, achy muscles, numb limbs -- all familiar side effects of too much time spent parked in a chair. But did you know that sitting too much may actually shorten your life as well? That's the conclusion of a surprising new study conducted by the American Cancer Society
As someone who specializes in vitality coaching (using effective diet, exercise and time management habits to maximize energy), I know it's hard for plenty of people to drag out of bed. But by doing the same thing at the same time every day, you create healthy rituals. Here are four easy, yoga-inspired moves you can perform each morning to maximize your blood flow and energy
Looking to strengthen your legs and improve your balance? Engage your core to increase leg strength. Concentrating on your posture will benefit your spine and improve your balance. These fun fitness moves can serve as an office boredom-buster too
Beat Winter: How to Exercise in the Cold
I know how hard it can be to adjust to winter's chill and darkness (at least in some parts of the country). But I also know that regularly getting outside to exercise -- especially to walk -- offers considerable mental and physical payback. Here, my top five tips for staying safe, warm and happy so I can exercise in the cold all winter long
Get a Jump on Your Fitness with Plyometrics
Elite athletes know plyometrics. Simply put, they know it improves athletic performance by making them quicker and more explosive. Once used in a small percentage of athletic programs, plyometrics are now an integral part of the elite athlete's regimen
Easy Workout Routines to Boost Your Mood
Get moving and smile on! Studies show that exercise really improves your mood. Whether you've got 10 or 20 minutes, we have a smile-inducing circuit for you
Are You Exercising Hard Enough?
The good news is there's a more convenient way to measure workout intensity that works just as well for most exercisers. It's called rating of perceived exertion or RPE. Here's how it works
Up Your Metabolic Rate with Weights
As we age, women lose 5 pounds of muscle every decade, and men lose 7. This loss doesn't just affect muscle appearance and tone; it also decreases your resting metabolic rate. The only way to build muscle is by strength training. The good news is that research has shown you can achieve significant results in just two 15- to 20-minute workouts a week
Dance Yourself Happy: Why Swinging Your Body Lifts Your Spirit
Americans have become a nation of armchair dancers, mesmerized by 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'So You Think You Can Dance.' But research shows that getting a groove on yourself is more beneficial -- improving social skills, lifting your spirits, even reversing depression
How to Get Cardio and Weight Training in 20 minutes
I only have 20 minutes to work out. Should I do cardio or weight training? The short answer is that you need to do both. Here's how
Looking for a fitness activity that's fresh and fun? Check out Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis. Like Pilates, Gyrotonic is done on machines -- usually a large tower with weights and pulleys, and a bench on which you sit or lie down. Gyrokinesis is the machine-free version and is performed on a floor mat or stool
The Right Kind of Yoga for You
How can I figure out which type of yoga is right for me? There are many different types of yoga, including Hatha, Vinyasa and Bikram
Plan to Ski or Snowboard? Strengthen up Now
Skiing and snowboarding are sports that require a specific type of lower-body muscle strength, which you don't typically get from summer activities. Fail to build up the right muscles -- primarily supporting the knees and lower back -- and you leave yourself open to some nasty injuries. For a safe and successful winter-sports season, try the following workout
Can Crash Diets Be a Good Way to Lose Weight?
Crash diets are a tempting way to lose weight fast. But most experts agree that they're not worth the risk. Just one week of overly restrictive dieting can cause serious nutritional deficiencies, alter your metabolism, and undercut your emotional well-being.
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
Jumping right back into a workout routine or new practice schedule could mean putting yourself at risk for injuries that could hurt you and your team for the rest of the season. Here's expert tips to prevent injury
Normal Weight Obesity - A Growing Concern
What is normal weight obesity? Normal weight obesity: it sounds like an oxymoron, but it's not. It's possible to fall in the normal weight range and still have weight-related health issues
Do energy drinks really give you more energy? And are they healthy?
We've all suffered it -- that dead tired feeling in the middle of the afternoon when all you want to do it crawl under your desk and take a nap. And, it always seems to come at the worst time when you've got a laundry list of things to get done before the end of the day. Incorporate these fatigue fighting foods into your diet and chances are you'll feel better
What's the Best Weight-loss Diet?
Low fat or low carb? High carb or high protein? Atkins or Weight Watchers? Given all the weight-loss plans out there, it isn't easy to determine the best weight-loss diet -- and now, new research suggests it may not really matter in the long run. Even so, it isn't always easy to zero in on the right plan for you. Here's what experts suggest
Spot the Difference: Sore Muscles vs. Muscle Injury
If a workout leaves me with sore muscles the next day, should I rest?
Adults at Forefront of Bicycle Boom
Cycling is more forgiving and inviting than many other forms of exercise. People turn to it partly because it's not as hard on the knees as running and it's usually more convenient than swimming. Heavier people often do well on bikes because cycling isn't a weight-bearing activity, so there's little penalty for girth. Here's a look at the benefits of cycling
Stone Age Diet Surprisingly Good For a Healthy Life Today
Picture a daily diet of fish and shellfish; of meats including fatty bone marrow and tongue; of fruits and vegetables, roots, nuts, and berries. Over the course of a year, you might eat 100 different types of fruits and vegetables. But you wouldn't drink any milk or consume any dairy products. Grains or cereal products would be unknown
Fibromyalgia Symptoms Improve With Tai Chi
Tai chi (ty-CHEE) may help relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia, perhaps more effectively than most medications.
The Best Fall Sport for Cardio
Fall sports season is kicking into gear, but you've committed to doing more than just watching sports on TV. You want to play 'em. Moreover, you want to participate in the ones that will actually be good for you. So which fall sports offer the best cardio workout?
Abdominal, or visceral, fat is worse for your health than excess pounds on your hips or thighs. Belly fat is nestled deep between your organs and has been linked to inflammation in the body, a contributor to many chronic diseases. Read on for five surprising ways to reduce belly fat -- for good.
Prescription for Better Health: Go Alfresco?
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
Most of us are troubled by neck pain at some
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
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
Want to get more out cycling? You'll need to make your bike an extension of you. Here's how.
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?
Although exercising on a full stomach may be uncomfortable, it will not harm you or negate the many health benefits associated with working out
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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.
Will taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements help my aching knees?
'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
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?
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?
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?
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?
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Picking Through the Latest Science on Berries and Health Benefits
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
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
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: Get a Healthier Body and Mind
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
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
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
Recipes for Health: Can What You Eat Stave Off the Flu?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
'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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 ...
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
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.
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.
Health & Nutrition