Beyond weight loss

Beyond weight loss. Health and fitness experts warn against making weight loss your primary goal of your fitness initiatives. Weight loss may not be achieved right away so you should look for other small improvements as a result of your workouts. In addition to weight loss, you should strive to feel better, to have more energy and to be less stressed.
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If the shoe fits

If the shoe fits. A recent study conducted by the Institute of Motion Analysis and Research found no differences in comfort or shock absorption between $80 pairs of running shoes and pairs costing more than $150. The researchers concluded that the most important aspect of a running shoe’s performance is weather the shoe fits comfortably, regardless of the price.
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Water health

Water health. Americans are drinking bottled water at unprecedented levels. Critics say bottled water wastes energy and resources through production of plastic bottles and energy used in the shipping process. Further, up to a quarter of bottled water comes from municipal water sources. Given this, health and environmental experts are recommending tap water filters over bottled water.
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Men's Health

Men's Health. Men's Health magazine is for men who want information, advice and coverage for greater control of their physical, mental and emotional lives. The monthly magazine provides in-depth reporting covering everything from fashion and grooming to health and nutrition. Men's Health is world's largest men's magazine. Learn more at MensHealth.com
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Self-esteem

Self-esteem. High self-esteem means we appreciate ourselves and our personal worth. Low self-esteem creates helplessness, powerlessness and even depression. Improve your self-esteem with the following tips: cut down on the negatives and remind yourself of the positives; make realistic goals for yourself; express your happiness to others; and feel good about you and those around you.
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Testosterone storm

Testosterone storm. Between ages 15 and 24, men are four to five times more likely to die than women. This time frame coincides with the onset of puberty and an increase in reckless and violent behavior among males, which researchers refer to as the "testosterone storm." Most male deaths come from motor vehicle accidents, followed by homicide, suicide, cancer, and drowning.
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Smoking and skin

Smoking and skin. Next to sun and chemicals, tobacco is one of the major accelerators of your skin’s aging process. Smoking causes the narrowing of blood vessels throughout your body, which slowly deprives your skin of vital oxygen and other nutrients. Young people start showing signs of early skin aging after as little as ten years of smoking.
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Ball crunch

Ball crunch. This exercise works the upper abs. Start by lying down with your hands behind your head and your knees up. Form a ball with your body by bringing your knees and head together, hold for two seconds, and return to the floor. Start with ten in a set and work up as desired.
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Exercise temperature

Exercise temperature. Research shows that workouts are more productive when body temperature is at its highest. At peak body temperature muscles are warm and flexible, reaction time is quicker, and resting heart rate and blood pressure are low. Your body’s temperature is at its lowest one to three hours before waking up in the morning versus late afternoon when it reaches its peak temperature.
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Washing fruits and vegetables

Washing fruits and vegetables. Washing fresh fruits and vegetables close to the time of consumption has been the standard health recommendation for decades. Wash fruits and vegetables in a stream of clean, running, drinking water to remove visible dirt and surface pesticides. Using soap or detergents is not recommended as they may add more contaminants.
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Exercise treatment

Exercise treatment. Exercise may be another way of treating depression. A recent Duke University study compared depression patients who took Zoloft versus those using exercise as treatment. The result found statistically insignificant difference in improvement rates between the groups. The researchers believe exercise raises endorphin or serotonin levels, which factor in depression treatment.
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Women and HDL

Women and HDL. The female sex hormone estrogen tends to raise High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) giving women higher HDL cholesterol levels than men. HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol because they protect against heart attack. Estrogen production is highest during the childbearing years, which may protect pre-menopausal women from developing heart disease.
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Life expectancy

Life expectancy. The life expectancy of Americans is nearly 78 years, according to recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. This figure has increased from 69.6 in 1965 and 75.8 in 1995. The life expectancy of blacks was nearly five years less than for whites. The top three causes of death: heart disease, cancer and stroke.
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Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a health threat for more than 28 million Americans. More common in women, the disease is a condition where bones deteriorate, become fragile and more likely to break. Women are higher risk because they lose up to two percent of bone mass per year after age 35. Keep bones healthy: walk three times a week, increase vitamin D and take calcium supplements.
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Teens

Teens. The editors at KidsHealth.org offer the following five recommendations for teens trying to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly; reduce your TV watching time; keep your serving sizes under control; eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day; and do not skip breakfast.
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Workout songs

Workout songs. Music is perhaps the one thing that keeps many of us running the mill, walking the trail, riding the bike or stepping the stairs. Everyone has a favorite song or set of workout songs. With a digital music player and playlist software it is easy to compile your favorite workout music designed to keep you motivated and healthy.
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Zone diet

Zone diet. The Zone diet, developed by Dr. Barry Sears, is a high-protein, higher-fat, lower-carbohydrate eating plan that allows for a broad range of foods to be consumed. The diet is based on the idea that the human body is genetically programmed to reach peak efficiency when a set caloric ratios are met. The diet recommends 40% of calories from carbohydrates, 30% from protein, and 30% from fats.
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Good source

Good source. Some food products are marketed as "a good source of" a nutrient, for instance, Vitamin C or protein. The Food and Drug Administration defines the term "good source of" as a food serving that provides at least ten percent of the daily value of the nutrient per serving for healthy people eating 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day.


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World's first dieting book

Diet history. Englishman William Banting's 1862 book "Letter on Corpulence Addressed to the Public" is considered to be the world's first book on the subject of dieting. After many weight-loss attempts, Banting shed 45 pounds with advice from Dr. William Harvey that suggested a diet void of bread, butter, milk, sugar, beer and potatoes. Banting's diet book sold 63,000 copies worldwide.
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Status

Status. Higher social status people live longer lives, according to a recent Prevention Magazine article. People who perceive themselves as higher on the social ladder, regardless of their actual education level or income, are more likely to avoid health problems like depression, insomnia and certain risk factors for heart disease.
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DOMS

DOMS. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness is the stiffness, swelling and pain typically felt 24 to 72 hours after exercising and subsides within 2 to 3 days. DOMS is quite common if you are beginning an exercise program or are new to a physical activity. Recent research suggests that DOMS is caused by tiny rips in muscle fiber caused by unaccustomed training levels.
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Insulin

Insulin. Insulin is an essential hormone that regulates and corrects the level and metabolism of blood sugar in your body. The word insulin is derived from Latin meaning "island". The hormone is produced in the Islets of Langerhans in the body's pancreas.
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Calories

Calories. A calorie is a unit of measurement for energy. In science, a calorie is defined as the amount of heat required to raise 1 kg of water one degree. It is also used to express the fuel or energy value of food or the output of an organism. For example, a gallon of gasoline contains about 31,000,000 calories.
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No sweat

No sweat. You do not have to break a sweat in order to be fit. Several research studies have found that getting at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as a brisk walk, on most days of the week can make a significant difference in your health.
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Red meat

Red meat. Meat such as beef, venison, and lamb is considered "red meat". On the positive side, red meat is a good source of protein and iron. On the negative side, red meat's high saturated fat content is associated with several health risks such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, bone loss, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and arthritis.
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Fiber

Fiber. Dietary fiber consists of plant foods that move through the digestive system that your body cannot digest. Fiber lowers cholesterol and is a good source of other essential nutrients. High fiber foods sources include oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, whole-wheat breads, wheat cereals and rice.
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Work fitness

Work fitness. At-work fitness and weight-loss competitions inspired by the TV show "The Biggest Loser" are gaining in popularity. Biggest Loser competitions award employees with the biggest weight loss after a given period. The contest goals are to improve employee health, increase productivity, lower absenteeism and lower costs.
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Heart-healthy foods

Heart-healthy foods. Eating for the heart protects your heart and blood vessels while reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The Cleveland Clinic and the American Dietetic Association recommend the following best five heart-healthy foods: salmon, flaxseed (ground), oatmeal, black beans and almonds.
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Physical activity

Physical activity. The recommendation for physical activity for adults is to get moderate-intensity aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes five days a week or vigorous-intensity aerobic activity for at least 20 minutes three days weekly. Additionally recommended is strength training for at least two nonconsecutive days each week.
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Health and fitness quote

Health and fitness quote. "The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." - Mark Twain.
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March fruits and vegetables

March. Freshly picked fruits and vegetables provide more nutrients and more flavor than canned or stored fruits and vegetables, and usually cost less as well. Try adding one or more of the following fruits or vegetables that are ripe and at their natural peak during the month of March: artichokes, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, key limes and navel oranges.
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