Continually progressing keeps exercise interesting and further increases your fitness level. Here are five fun ideas to keep challenging yourself. Identify an area of weakness, like a muscle group you want to tone or a fitness skill you’d like to have. You might assess your level of each of the key components of fitness —… read on >
Getting enough daily exercise can help prevent obesity, which increases a person’s risk of developing cancer, the U.S. National Cancer Institute says. The institute mentions how physical activity can lower your risk of developing cancer: Exercise contributes to lower levels of hormones, such as insulin and estrogen, which have been associated with cancer development and… read on >
A personal trainer can design an exercise program to meet your fitness goals, keep you motivated and adapt your training as you progress. But your first step is finding a qualified professional. While there aren’t any national standards or minimum requirements for someone to call themselves a personal trainer, asking the right questions will help… read on >
You’ve probably heard the health warning: Sitting is the new smoking. The importance of getting up and walking to prevent serious health issues when you sit at a desk all day long has gotten a lot of attention recently. Those health risks include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess weight and high cholesterol levels,… read on >
Today’s ever-stressful lifestyles demand techniques to cultivate your healthiest self. The American Heart Association suggests these healthier habits: Sleep well, since getting a good night’s sleep helps improve eating habits, mood and memory. Add yoga or meditation to your life. Finding coping methods, such as a brisk walk, volunteering or starting a new hobby. Get… read on >
In a country where four out of 10 adults are obese, it’s probably good news that half of U.S. adults say they’ve recently tried to shed some pounds. They did this most often through exercise, cutting calories and eating their fruits and veggies, according to a new government survey that tracked Americans’ weight-loss attempts between… read on >
Resistance or strength training isn’t just for bodybuilders — it’s for everyone, and it’s essential to combat the natural tendency to lose muscle mass with age. It also helps prevent bone loss and lowers body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. You can strengthen muscles with everything from resistance bands to heavy soup cans. But most… read on >
Your surroundings can play a big role when it comes to overeating. Learning how you respond in various circumstances can help you curb the calories. One study showed that people eat and drink less when their dinnerware is red — and more when it’s blue — because red acts like a stop sign. But another… read on >
Young pitchers should heed pitch count guidelines if they want their elbows to stay healthy, new research suggests. The Japanese study included 149 pitchers, aged 7 to 11, with no prior elbow pain who were assessed at the start and end of a baseball season. At the end of the season, the development of elbow… read on >
So, you’ve made the decision to get healthier and join a gym, a great way to reach the U.S. national guideline of 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. But don’t let your good intentions or your membership fee go to waste. Whether your gym is near home or close to work, here’s how to… read on >
