Among the perils of a new school and entirely new environment lies the myth – or is it? – of the Freshman 15, those 15 or more extra pounds gained during the freshman year. Many factors cause weight gain in college – heavy drinking, all-you-can-eat dining plans, late-night binges, no…
Emotional eating can wreak havoc on even the most determined dieter. It’s a way to suppress or soothe negative feelings like boredom, grief, fear and anger. Triggers may include unemployment, financial stressors, relationship strain, health problems or simply fatigue. Our first reaction when anxiety rears its ugly head is to…
Don’t go nuts for nuts. Although many variations of nuts are rich in good fats — monounsaturated fats – and protein, they can still pack on the pounds when consumed in excess. It’s important to observe proper portion control. Unfortunately, it’s easy to overindulge on these high-fat treats. A reasonable…
Sustaining an injury during a workout can sideline your fitness efforts. But how do you know how to soothe the pain and help your body recover as quickly as possible? First, it’s important to understand what kind of injury is bothering you. Acute injuries are ones that have a quick…
Instead of concentrating on cutting foods out of your diet, bring new foods to the table. There are probably a whole slew of fruits and vegetables you’ve never sampled. In order to prevent yourself from feeling deprived, train yourself to look at all the foods you can eat instead of…
It’s not officially a diet, but there are plenty of reasons to follow the rainbow, especially when picking out fruits and vegetables. The secret to ensuring that your body gets the necessary nutrients lies in following an eating regimen that’s rich in color. There’s a wealth of health benefits associated…
It can be hard to find the time to exercise. The motivation to exercise may be even harder to find when you’re busy and exhausted from lack of sleep. But without activity, your body, mind and spirit will suffer. There are simple ways to incorporate exercise into your busy schedule,…
It’s no big mystery why more than a third of the U.S. population is overweight. We’ve made food the center of our universe. From weddings to funerals to holidays, it seems like almost every milestone event in our lives revolves around food. The amount of energy spent on the what,…
Beware of the muffin. For years people have assumed that muffins are a healthy, diet-friendly option. When presented with the choice between a donut, a bagel or a muffin, they’ll opt for the latter, thinking it’s the best move for their waistline. However, that isn’t the case. Some muffins come…
Make sure you’re getting enough calcium. Of all the minerals the body absorbs, you’re most likely to come up short in your supply of calcium. Unfortunately, this mineral is essential as far as strengthening bones, helping muscles contract and regulating contractions of the heart. Most surprisingly, calcium plays a role…