Aging population

Aging population. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans 65 and over has more than tripled, increasing from 3.1 million to 34.5 million. According to the World Health Network, by the year 2025, there will be more than 50 million older Americans. Seniors over 65 will outnumber teenagers by more than two to one.
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Walking neighbors

Walking neighbors. Some researchers believe neighborhoods with pedestrian-friendly amenities such as sidewalks and walking and running trails make healthier residents. University of BC researcher Lawrence Frank is among a group of scientists who have shown that people who live in walkable neighborhoods tend to weigh less than people who live in more isolated and car-dependent areas.
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Stress city

Stress city. Tacoma, Washington has the distinction of being the most stressful city in the United States. A recent study from Sperling's Best Places ranked Tacoma first based on nine factors associated with stress: unemployment rate, divorce rate, commute time, violent and property crime rates, suicide rate, alcohol consumption, self-reported "poor mental health," and the number of cloudy days.
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Health

Health. Health magazine provides its readers with credible, useful, and up-to-date information on how to live healthier, happier lives. The magazine covers well-being, fitness, nutrition, and beauty. Its real-world perspective helps readers make sense of conflicting news, trends, and studies. The magazine was established in 1987 and has more than 6 million readers. Learn more at Health.com.
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Hernia

Hernia. A hernia is an opening or weakness in the wall of a muscle, tissue, or membrane that normally holds an organ in place. If the opening or weakness is large enough, a portion of the organ may be able to poke through it. Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. They occur more frequently in the abdomen, groin and belly button area.
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Active.com

Active.com. Active.com is an online community for people who want to participate in activities about which they are passionate. Millions of active individuals visit the site each month to search and register for races, team sports and recreational activities; interact with others who have similar interests; start training programs; and access nutrition, fitness and training tips.
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Body arches

Body arches. This exercise works the back and buttocks. Start by lying face down, legs straight and arms extended out straight in front of your head. Using your back, slowly lift your arms and legs toward the ceiling, hold for twenty seconds, and lower to the start position for one repetition of this exercise.
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Energy cycle

Energy cycle. Every person has a daily energy cycle. For most, energy is low after waking up in the morning, peaks in late morning to early afternoon, drops in late afternoon, rises again in the early evening and is lowest just before bedtime. Plan around your body's energy cycle. Take on exercise or more difficult tasks during high energy times while resting when your energy is low.
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Advanced plank

Advanced plank. This version of the plank exercise works the upper abs. Start this exercise lying face down with your arms stretched out in front and your toes touching the mat. Lift your body using just your forearms, abdomen and toes. Hold this position for three seconds and rest to the floor to complete one repetition.
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Orange juice

Orange juice. Orange juice contains more than 60 phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are natural bioactive compounds that work together with vitamins, minerals, and fiber to promote good health by protecting our cells. Research has shown that antioxidants in phytonutrients help support a healthy cardiovascular system and immune system.
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Isotonic exercise

Isotonic exercise. Isotonic exercise occurs when a muscle shortens or lengthens against a fixed resistance. The classic form of isotonic exercise is weight lifting with free weights or a Nautilus type machine. Other good isotonic exercises include sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups.
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Soup is good food

Soup is good food. Eating a soup can cut your calorie intake by about 20%, according to a recent Penn State study published in Men's Health magazine. Researchers found that participants ate an average of 135 fewer calories when they started their meal with a 150 calorie serving of vegetable soup. Researchers believe the soup forces your body to slow down allowing it to recognize it is becoming full.
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Popcorn

Popcorn. Popcorn is a fun, healthy snack that is a convenient way for you to eat more whole grains. Whole grains provide antioxidants, Vitamin B, fiber, carbohydrates, proteins and minerals. Dietary Guidelines recommend at least three daily servings of whole-grain foods. Three cups of popped corn provide one serving of whole grains.
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Athletic shoes

The origin of the modern athletic shoe dates back to the late 18th century when people wore rubber soled shoes called pimsolls. In 1915, Converse made the first athletic shoes for tennis. Two years later they designed the first basketball shoe. The U.S. Rubber company began selling "sneakers" in 1917, a name the company coined from the quiet walk of the shoe.
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Bread

Bread. The diet editors at iVillage.com suggest the following tips for selecting the healthiest breads. Look for whole grain or whole wheat on the label. The first ingredient listed for the bread should include the word “whole”. Avoid products that are “made with whole grains”. If you are looking to reduce your calorie intake, check the bread’s serving size.
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Healthy fast food

Healthy fast food. The editors at HelpGuide.org suggest the following menu choices as the healthiest alternatives when eating fast food: grilled chicken or fish sandwich, baked potato with vegetables, salad with low-fat dressing, single hamburger, deli sandwich on wheat bread or pita, and wraps on whole wheat tortilla.
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Floral healing

Floral healing. In 1930, English scientist Edward Bach proposed that sickness resulted from imbalances in the soul. To restore spiritual and physical health, Bach developed floral and flower-infused essences designed to quell emotions such as stress, despair, anxiety and apathy. The floral medicine was taken as drops under the tongue or added to a bath.
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High-Fructose Corn Syrup

HFCS. High-Fructose Corn Syrup is a food additive that was developed over 30 years ago. It is derived from corn and is many times cheaper and sweeter than simple sugar. Unlike regular sugar, HFCS does not quench the body's appetite, thus allowing people to drink a two-liter bottle of soda without feeling "full". The average American consumes sixty-two pounds of HFCS each year.
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Emotional eating

Emotional eating. A common issue among dieters is emotional eating. This eating occurs as a way to suppress or soothe negative emotions, such as stress, anger, anxiety, boredom, sadness and loneliness. To deter emotional eating, give yourself time to gain control before reaching for food. If you fail, be persistent and try again next time.
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Health care

Health care. U.S. employers pay significantly higher employee health care costs relative to all other industrialized nations. Employers are doing two main things to address higher health care costs. They are reducing or eliminating health care costs through changes in coverage levels or eligibility and/or they are reducing the number of individuals covered through layoffs or outsourcing.
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Muscle

Muscle. Our bodies are built to naturally retain only the necessary amount of muscle mass it needs to perform on a daily basis. Bodies add muscle reluctantly and shed it rather easily. Adding and maintaining body muscle requires added muscle building exercise and up to fifty calories a day per extra pound of added muscle mass.
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Reps and sets

Reps and sets. Exercise is a physical activity that develops or maintains fitness and health. A repetition is the number of times a motion for an exercise is completed, for example, one pushup. An exercise set is the number of times an exercise repetition is performed, for example, a set of ten pushups.
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Basal Metabolic Rate

BMR. Basal Metabolic Rate measures the minimum calories necessary to sustain life in a resting individual. Calories are burned by bodily processes such as respiration, the pumping of blood around the body and maintenance of body temperature. BMR can be responsible for burning up to 70% of a person’s total calories expended.
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Aerobics

Aerobics. In that late 1960s, Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper developed a form of exercise to monitor astronauts for pulse rate and oxygen consumption. He called his new excise regimen "aerobics". The new exercise method was also found to help prevent coronary artery disease. Aerobics spawned different forms, such as dance aerobics, step aerobics and water aerobics.
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Cancer

Cancer. Nearly half of all cancer deaths are related to obesity or the use of tobacco. The latest report from The President's Cancer Panel suggests that many instances of cancer could be prevented by exercising, eating right, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking. The report cited challenges in what motivates people to live a healthier lifestyle.
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Diabetes

Diabetes. Insulin is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy used by our bodies. Diabetes is present when the body fails to produce the insulin or becomes insulin resistant. Diabetes can lead to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage. Prevent diabetes through proper nutrition and regular exercise.
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Audio trainer

Audio trainer. People with busy schedules or those looking for further motivation are turning to audio workouts. Audio workouts are played on iPods and MP3 players. They feature celebrity trainers that coach you with everything from stretching to marathons. Download digital workouts from itrain.com, cardiocoach.com and beitfit.com.
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Organic foods

Organic foods. Nearly 25% of Americans purchase organic foods once a week, up from 17% in 2000. The National Organic Program defines organic crops as those grown without pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. Organic meats come from animals raised without antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones.
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Workplace stress

Workplace stress. There are ways to prepare for handling workplace stress. Stay healthier by eating more fruits and vegetables; make friends that you can vent and discuss your stress issues; take necessary breaks from your work; choose your workplace battles wisely; plan and prioritize your work with to-do lists and realistic due dates.
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October fruits and vegitables

October. 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 October: acorn squash, parsnips, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins and radishes.
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