Integrate interval training into your workout. Interval training is a regimen that uses both low-intensity and high-intensity movements. The key is to vary intensity levels throughout the workout — performing intense spurts mixed with periods of rest. Interval training improves cardiovascular health, boosts metabolism, increases stamina and more. It also…
There are just some times of the month when, regardless of how much of a gym rat you normally are, you can’t seem to get moving. Or it just plain hurts to engage in the exercise you usually do. If periods cramp your fitness style, then there are some ways…
When using the equipment at the gym, make sure you’ve properly adjusted it to fit your height and shape. This reduces your risk of injury and makes the exercise more effective. From the stair climber to the rowing machine, each and every machine has a specific function. In order to…
Microwave popcorn might be an on-the-go dieter’s best friend. It’s a convenient, sometimes lower-calorie salty snack option. It’s a whole grain, and it offers plenty of fiber per serving, which fills you up. And it’s certainly better than the movie theater’s fat- and salt-laden offerings. But microwave popcorn is far…
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…
Goal setting plays a huge role in helping you stick with exercise. The best way to go about it is to choose an attainable goal. You may want to choose one of these four goals to work toward: losing fat, gaining muscle, sports conditioning or health. Losing fat is one…
Take time to evaluate not only what you eat, but also how you eat it. When you sit down to a meal, do you rush through, gobbling as you go, without stopping for a breath? Take a look at your plate– is it a dinner-sized one, overflowing with food? Smaller…
If you like to run, power walk or participate in high-impact activities, then you’re probably familiar with shin splints, that excruciating pain that occurs a few inches below the knee. The term is a generic one that describes pain near the shin bone where the calf muscle attaches to the…
If you embarked on a weight-loss journey at the beginning of the year, then your resolve might be weakening at the two-week mark. Help yourself by keeping your goals in mind, regardless of where you are. Use 5 by 7 note cards with daily reminders. Once you devise a list…
Nobody’s perfect, especially when it comes to taking care of your health. The bar for fitness, diet and general wellness is set pretty high, which is great…but unrealistic for many of us. We may throw in the towel completely if we don’t get in those recommended nine servings of fruits…