Image Credit: OsakaWayne Studios/Moment/GettyImages Your body is composed of numerous substances, but nothing is more fundamental and pervasive as water. It plays a role in many of the body's basic functions. The percentage of water in your body changes daily, confusing many people who are trying to lose weight. Big drops on the scale during the first week or two of a diet are due in large part to the loss of water....
Eating potassium-rich foods like bananas may help prevent symptoms of low potassium, like muscle spasms. Image Credit: alvarez/E+/GettyImages Almost everyone gets a leg cramp — also called a charley horse — at some point or another. And an electrolyte imbalance is often to blame for these spasms, which is why taking potassium for leg cramps may help prevent pain. Advertisement "Leg cramps develop as the result of sudden and involuntary contractions," says Robert Glatter, MD, an emergency physician with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City....
A woman drinking from a water bottle. Image Credit: Halfpoint/iStock/Getty Images Cells are the basic unit of structure and function of life. A balance between fluids and electrolytes is necessary if cells are to survive and function normally. According to “Nursing Standard,” approximately 60 percent of the human body is water, and body water contains electrolytes. It is the kidneys’ job to control fluid and electrolytes. On a day-to-day basis, water intake should be balanced with water loss....
If chicken is a regular item on your menu, baked chicken breast is a simple preparation method that also allows you to get creative with flavors. Image Credit: Elena_Danileiko/iStock/GettyImages Americans eat about 64 pounds of chicken per person per year, according to the USDA, which is more than beef, pork and fish. If chicken is a regular item on your menu, baked chicken breast is a simple preparation method that also allows you to get creative with flavors....
Running stairs is a great way to burn calories. Image Credit: Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd/DigitalVision/GettyImages Finding time for fitness can sometimes be a challenge, but with a little creativity, you can turn an ordinary activity into a quick, heart-pumping, calorie-burning workout. If going up the stairs is a common occurrence in your day, then knowing how to convert stairs to miles is a necessity. Advertisement Cardiovascular Benefits of Climbing Stairs The health benefits of aerobic activity include more than just burning calories....
Burger patties can be cooked either in the oven or a skillet. Image Credit: jenifoto/iStock/GettyImages Burgers are typically made by shaping equal portions of ground beef into patties. Other meats, such as ground veal, pork, turkey or chicken, can be used in place of beef, and the burgers can be cooked in a skillet or in the oven. Advertisement There isn't just one "best way" to cook burgers inside. While cooking the burgers in a skillet is quick and convenient, using the oven offers the option of reducing the amount of fat the meat releases during cooking....
The variety of Stouffer's lasagna that is made with ground beef cooks in about 70 minutes in the oven. Image Credit: Olha_Afanasieva/iStock/GettyImages Stouffer’s lasagna and other frozen meals can come in handy when you’re weary after a busy day. It’s also nice to assemble and freeze make-ahead lasagna at home. Advertisement Tip The variety of Stouffer's lasagna that is made with ground beef cooks in about 70 minutes in the oven....
The cat-cow pose may help with bladder control during the night if you have a tight pelvic floor. Image Credit: Koldunov/iStock/GettyImages Waking up two, three or more times to pee during the night can make it harder to get a good night’s rest. But aside from cutting off your fluid intake before bed, is there anything you can do to keep the bathroom trips to a minimum? Advertisement Nighttime urinary frequency, or nocturia, can stem from a number of causes, including pregnancy, age-related changes to the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, bladder infections and even diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)....
The shin box get-up exercise activates your core, hip flexors, glutes and quads. Image Credit: Kelsey Decker/LIVESTRONG.com In This Article Instructions Benefits Form Tips Variations Thanks to today's 9-to-5 life, having tight hips seems inevitable. Fortunately, adding hip stretches, like the shin box get-up, to your regular rotation can help relieve tightness while also priming your hip flexors, glutes and quads for exercise. Advertisement What is the shin box get-up exercise?...
Sweet potatoes make excellent French fries. Image Credit: alvarez/E+/GettyImages Sweet potato fries are a sweet and crispy indulgence that anyone can enjoy. Yes, deep frying sweet potatoes adds calories and fat, but they’re still high in vitamin A. And cooking them yourself means you control what kind of oil is used and how much salt is added. Advertisement Fried sweet potatoes aren't difficult to make, but they do take a bit of prep work....
When you’re entertaining guests during the holiday season, one of the best ways to feed everyone is by cooking a ham. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages When you’re entertaining guests during the holiday season, one of the best ways to feed everyone is by cooking a ham. It’s festive, filling, and fits right in with all your other potluck dishes. A slow cooker boneless ham is a breeze to prepare. Advertisement Crock-Pot Boneless Ham First, you’ll need to choose a ham to suit the number of people you plan on hosting....
A tough workout doesn't have to be a long one. Try these 3 quick-hit workouts. Image Credit: WavebreakMediaMicro/AdobeStock/Livestrong.com There’s no question that volume and frequency have a profound effect on your workout results. If your training lacks intensity or is too short in duration or frequency, it’ll be hard to see any real progress. But spending hours at the gym every week isn’t feasible for many people. Advertisement However, by manipulating certain elements within your workout to minimize the time spent while maximizing the results, you can get in an effective workout — even if you don't have a lot of time....
Low-impact swimming workouts are a great way to improve your cardio and muscle fitness — without hurting your joints. Image Credit: SonerCdem/iStock/GettyImages When it comes to low-impact cardio workouts, it doesn’t get much better than swimming. Advertisement After all, swimming workouts pack all of the benefits of cardiovascular exercise — a stronger heart, fitter muscles and torched calories — without all of the shock that can come with high-impact workouts. Video of the Day "For people with arthritis, osteoporosis or certain autoimmune conditions, swimming is one of the best ways to exercise," says certified swimming instructor Erin Trumbach....
Make the most of your newbie gains by nailing your nutrition. Image Credit: stevecoleimages/iStock/GettyImages The early stages of your bodybuilding journey are the best time to make strength and size gains. Being new to training, your body responds and adapts rapidly to lifting weights and builds muscle at a faster rate. Advertisement You can expect a gain of around 1 to 2 pounds per month when exercising properly, according to U....
Soothe your stomach with these dietitian-approved cold drinks and hot teas for bloating. Image Credit: galitskaya/iStock/GettyImages Whether you’re bloated after a heavy meal or you’re noticing a general increase in gassiness lately, you might be looking for some quick relief. Advertisement Instead of reaching for a pill, first try sipping on one of these six anti-bloating drinks dietitians recommend for soothing your stomach. Video of the Day 1. Water In the battle of the bloat, plain old water is king....
Apple cider vinegar may be too acidic for your stomach. Image Credit: alicjane/iStock/GettyImages Apple cider vinegar uses range from heartburn relief to blood sugar control and weight loss. What you may not know is that this home remedy can hurt your stomach due to its acidic nature. It also slows digestion, affects your electrolyte balance and damages the tooth enamel. Advertisement Popular Apple Cider Vinegar Uses This natural cure has been used in folk medicine for centuries....
Resistance bands are often recommended by physical therapists for rehabilitation purposes. Image Credit: Keith Brofsky/Photodisc/Getty Images Weight-bearing exercise is important for your health, particularly for muscle and bone development. Resistance bands provide muscle-building tension, and can be used almost anywhere. These bands offer safe and effective workouts, and are often recommended by physical therapists for rehabilitation purposes. Advertisement Identification Resistance bands come in a variety of types, lengths and tensions. Some are flat in composition, while others consist of a tubular band that’s often surrounded by a protective material....
Vitamin C injections aren't necessary for most people. Image Credit: twomeows/Moment/GettyImages Vitamin C is the go-to nutrient for keeping your immune system strong, but when you’re taking supplements, you want to make sure you’re actually getting what you need. That’s why you may be wondering whether you need vitamin C injections or if oral supplements will do the trick. Advertisement While injections may be the better choice if you're extremely deficient in vitamin C or if you're trying to target a certain health condition, oral supplements are highly effective for most people....
Ice cream is a delicious dessert, but it comes packed with sugar, fat and calories. Image Credit: Foxys_forest_manufacture/iStock/GettyImages Ice cream is a delicious dessert, but it comes packed with sugar, fat and calories. Different flavors and brands have different nutritional values, so the number of calories in one scoop of ice cream varies. Keep in mind that there are healthier alternatives available, such as homemade ice cream. Advertisement If you're trying to limit your calorie intake, it helps to cut out sugary foods that add little nutritional value to your diet....
Tight glutes symptoms often include lower back pain. Image Credit: Vitalij Sova/iStock/GettyImages Your aching back may not be due to your back at all. Tight glutes and back pain often go hand in hand. Stiff or weak muscles in the hips and buttocks, or glutes, have a negative effect on your posture, resulting in back pain. Advertisement Ideally, your pelvis should be in a neutral position during daily life; if it's tilted to the rear, your back will tend to be overly flat....
