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The mermaid lift relieves tight hips while strengthening your glutes and core. Image Credit: kieferpix/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Instructions Benefits Everybody loves a twofer exercise: Who doesn't want double the body benefits in half the time? The mermaid lift — which involves starting in a seated 90/90 position and then pushing into an upright position onto your knees without using your hands — is the ultimate two-in-one movement you've probably never heard of before....

Measure your portions when you eat almonds to avoid taking in too many calories. Image Credit: Towfiqu Photography/Moment/GettyImages Too many of us believe that an almond diet, or any meal plan high in nuts, is a recipe for extra pounds. After all, a handful of nuts is higher in fat and calories than a bowl of, say, carrot sticks. As it turns out, the benefits of almonds include helping you lose weight....

A woman is doing crunches with a medicine ball. Image Credit: undrey/iStock/Getty Images Getting a flat stomach is not easy; it takes time, patience and dedication. However, if you target your stomach with appropriate exercises, you should see a noticeable difference in a matter of weeks. Crunches alone will not give you a flat stomach: You must incorporate cardiovascular exercise as well as modify your diet to achieve a flat stomach....

Middle aged man at the gym Image Credit: amana productions inc./amana images/Getty Images If the fat around your midsection makes it necessary for you to inhale deeply as you struggle to buckle your belt each morning, you’ve got reason to breathe easy. Although there isn’t a type of food or exercise that miraculously zaps the fat in this area, you can reduce your overall body fat and thus whittle your waist and back with some healthy lifestyle modifications....

Stomach pain when you wake can be caused by GERD, ulcers and more. Image Credit: Jelena Stanojkovic/iStock/GettyImages In This Article GERD Constipation Ulcers IBS When to See a Doctor Waking up with stomach pain is not only uncomfortable, but possibly anxiety-inducing. You may find yourself spiraling as you try to determine whether the cause is merely something you ate or a sign that something is seriously wrong. Advertisement If you've ruled out the usual causes — an urge to relieve yourself, an empty stomach signaling it's time for breakfast, gas and ordinary heartburn — another condition may be at play....

If you're anxious about going to the doctor for the first time in years, consider confiding in the receptionist when you book your appointment. Image Credit: FG Trade/E+/GettyImages Finally getting around to scheduling that annual exam, dental cleaning or medical screening test that was long put off because of COVID — or just because you’ve had a lot going on? If so, it’s natural for it to feel a little uncomfortable....

While most herbal teas are safe to drink, people with certain health conditions and those who take medication should check in with their doctor. Image Credit: imtmphoto/iStock/GettyImages If you’re craving a flavorful drink without added sugar or with less caffeine, or you just aren’t a coffee fan (we see you), tea is a great alternative. Whether you want something fruity like hibiscus or citrusy and floral like Earl Grey, tea boasts plenty of health benefits....

Drinking nonfat milk is one effective way to settle your stomach after eating spicy food. Image Credit: Eva-Katalin/E+/GettyImages Your taste buds might love a spicy meal, but your stomach always seems to disagree. While eating fiery fare doesn’t always guarantee a belly ache, for many, tongue-tingling meals come with a digestive downside. Advertisement "Spicy foods frequently exacerbate stomach discomfort and heartburn, especially for those diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)," explains Jacob Skeans, MD, a gastroenterologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center....

Houseplants, especially spider plants, can increase humidity in a room without a humidifier. Image Credit: Mint Images/Mint Images RF/GettyImages Dry air in your home can cause various issues, including nosebleeds, cracked lips, an uncomfortable night’s sleep and even trouble breathing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately, these annoyances pop up even more in the dry winter months. Advertisement While a humidifier will increase the moisture content of your home or room, it may also increase your electric bill (depending on the type and size), and it can actually promote mold if the moisture isn't kept in the ideal 30 to 50 percent range, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)....

references popchips nppga rhythm Bare Snacks USDA Dietary Guidelines Beanfield Snacks Bean Chips Terra Chips Dang Foods 1 of 11 Overview Potatoes are definitely America's favorite vegetable. According to the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, the potato chip was invented in 1853 and has been America's #1 snack food for more than 50 years. In 2011, Americans ate 1.5 billion pounds of potato chips -- that's about four pounds per person....

HIIT is a great way to target your abs. Image Credit: Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages Grinding out set after set of crunches and sit-ups can get really boring_._ But if you want killer abs you have to do crunches, right? Wrong! There are countless ways to work your core that have nothing to do with the old-school sit-ups you did in elementary school gym class. Advertisement Cole Fritz, a certified personal trainer at Life Time in Parker, Colorado, has the scoop on the benefits of high-intensity interval training (aka HIIT) for your abs and created a quick, 10-minute HIIT workout that tightens, strengthens and tones every part of your mid-section — without doing a single crunch....

references Journal of Sports Science and Medicine: "Foam Rolling and Joint Distraction with Elastic Band Training Performed for 5-7 Weeks Respectively Improve Lower Limb Flexibility" All you need is a resistance band to follow along with this four-week, full-body strength-training challenge. Image Credit: Getty Images/LIVESTRONG.com Creative Healthy habits are built one day at a time. Our monthly fitness challenges can help you stay on track all year long. Image Credit: Getty Images/LIVESTRONG....

Some studies have shown that the seeds of an apple are a rich source of bacteria that can keep your gut healthy. Image Credit: Aukid Phumsirichat / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages The old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is probably the reason apples have become one of the most widely-consumed fruits in the world. But while you may know apples have a lot to offer, you may be left wondering if there are any apple seed benefits....

Resistance band butt exercises can help you stabilize and strengthen your glutes. Image Credit: swissmediavision/E+/GettyImages Good things come in small packages, and the mini resistance band is proof. Small yet mighty, this circular piece of elastic is a must-have fitness tool, especially when it comes to toning and lifting your derriere. One reason why: It helps you target smaller, stabilizing muscles like the glute medius, located on the outside of the hip....

spoonful of baking soda Image Credit: Chorboon Chiranuparp/iStock/Getty Images Sweet and fudge-like, brownies are a classic bake sale treat or dressed-up dessert. While cookies and cakes typically rely on baking powder as leavening, brownies require less leavening and can be made with baking soda in place of baking powder. Choose a recipe that relies solely on baking soda or create your own substitute for baking powder by combining baking soda and other ingredients....

Creatine is an organic substance in the body that is synthesized in the liver and kidney from essential amino acids. It is then transported through the blood to the muscles. According to MayoClinic.com, about 95 percent of the body’s store of creatine is located in the skeletal muscles. Creatine supplements became popular in the 1990s as a way for athletes to improve performance, but side effects are possible. Significance Creatine supplements can increase total skeletal muscle composition, according to MayoClinic....

Chewing sugar-free gum slightly boosts metabolism. Image Credit: Rawpixel Ltd/iStock/GettyImages Metabolism is the process by which your body converts the food and beverages you consume into energy. The process of chewing, digesting and transporting food also requires energy, thereby increasing your metabolism. It is a natural process that’s influenced by your age, body weight and gender. Physical activity also increases your metabolism. Even chewing gum requires jaw movement, so this activity requires energy output....

A cup of tea next to a honey jar. Image Credit: Дарья Петренко/iStock/Getty Images Tea with honey conjures up images of home and hearth, and rightly so. Honey-sweetened coffee is less common, though the smooth sweetness nicely counteracts coffee’s slight bitterness. Using raw honey to sweeten beverages is a healthy choice for many reasons, though adding honey to hot tea and coffee does destroy some of its nutrients. Advertisement Nutrients in Honey Fresh, raw honey is loaded with antioxidants, though it contains only trace elements of other nutrients....

A healthy rounded diet can help you loose weight. Image Credit: Mizina/iStock/GettyImages After a quick search on the internet, you may find dozens of diets that promise to help you lose a lot of weight quickly and easily. But if you’re looking to drop 50 pounds in six months, you want to avoid certain diets that sound too good to be true. Advertisement The easiest way to lose 50 pounds — and keep it off — is to adopt healthier eating habits and an exercise regimen you can stick to long term as part of your lifestyle....

You may benefit from calling your doctor if you have stomach and back pain at the same time. Image Credit: LumiNola/E+/GettyImages If your stomach is churning or cramping and your lower back is aching, it’s important to know that the causes for lower back and lower stomach pain can range widely. Depending on your pain level, you may benefit from ringing your doctor’s office to figure out what’s causing it and get relief....