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Dumbbells exercises (like lunges) done in a HIIT style make for a seriously efficient workout. Image Credit: Courtesy of The Fhitting Room Even if you’re not a workout buff, you’ve probably heard of HIIT workouts — aka high-intensity interval training. It’s comprised of quick bursts of activity followed by short recovery periods. HIIT is the workout du jour for a number of reasons. Advertisement In today's busy world, the most appealing one is that it's seriously efficient, with each workout delivering the benefits of cardio and strength training in a shorter session....

Barre is a low-impact workout that helps build strength and improves balance for older adults. Image Credit: Oliver Rossi/DigitalVision/GettyImages As we get older, we find ourselves racing against the natural process of aging. By the time we hit middle age, most of us can no longer expect to hit the ground running as a weekend warrior without some upkeep and maintenance during the week. Advertisement The key to maintaining strength, balance and flexibility as we get older is "use it or lose it....

Strength training during pregnancy can help you stay strong and prevent or treat certain health complications. Image Credit: hobo_018/E+/GettyImages In the past, pregnant people have been cautioned against strength training — the thinking was that it could lead to injury and be harmful to the pregnancy. Sure, strength training (or doing any type of exercise) incorrectly can result in injury, but that doesn’t mean you should necessarily avoid lifting weights....

Being busy makes it hard to work out. However, you can do ab exercises at your desk. Image Credit: Tempura/E+/GettyImages A busy job with long hours may keep you from the gym, but you don’t have to skip exercising your abs because of work. Your desk, floor and chair can all assist you in strengthening the important muscles that support your posture and promote back health. Advertisement Weave these moves in throughout your day or take a five- to 10-minute break and do them as a circuit — either way, you'll improve strength in your belly....

You can decompress your spine during a dead hang, but this benefit lasts only as long as you're in this position. Image Credit: Maskot/Maskot/GettyImages Dead hangs have exploded on social media thanks to the way they appear to visibly lengthen your spine and stretch your upper-body muscles. But does this move ‌actually‌ stretch your spine? Advertisement It's true that when you hang off the ground, the force of gravity provides some decompression for your spine, but is decompression the same as stretching — and how substantial is the effect?...

You CAN eat peanut shells, but you probably shouldn't. Image Credit: Smitt/iStock/GettyImages The peanut, a source of vitamins, protein and fiber, is one of America’s favorite snack foods. Peanut shells, not so much. While eating peanut shells may have never entered your mind, some people do indulge in this unusual snack. It could be the crunch or the saltiness that appeals to those looking for an alternative to chips and pretzels....

One of the many benefits of a slow cooker is that you can place a frozen piece of meat into the pot and it will not only thaw safely, it will cook completely -- making for one delicious, home-cooked meal. Image Credit: OksanaKiian/iStock/GettyImages A Crock-Pot or slow cooker is a handy kitchen appliance to have. It is super convenient when you need to make an easy dinner, especially if you forget to remove meat from your freezer to thaw....

You can survive on protein shakes as long as they provide balanced nutrition and enough calories to meet your needs. Image Credit: CobraCZ/iStock/GettyImages Protein shakes vary widely when it comes to ingredients. Some are high in sugar and low in other vital nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and dietary fiber. In order to survive, you need enough of these nutrients — in addition to protein and carbohydrates — to stay healthy, have energy and avoid nutrient deficiencies....

references U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures Charts" Avoiding these common blunders when cooking meat is your key to a gourmet homemade meal. Image Credit: Bartosz Luczak/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: Bartosz Luczak/iStock/GettyImages Are You Getting Enough Protein? Track your macros by logging your meals on the MyPlate app. Download now to fine-tune your diet today! Mango Ginger Sesame Soy Arugula Chimichurri Smoky Yogurt Balsamic Vinegar...

You can't outrun a double chin, but exercise may help with general weight loss. Image Credit: golero/E+/GettyImages The idea that more is better applies to lots of things, such as ice cream and free time, but not so much when it comes to chins. Romance writers speak of desirable chins as being delicately stubborn or chiseled and strong — but never as abundant or sumptuously folded. Reducing or removing a double chin is not as easy or as much fun as being swept off your feet, but with a bit of effort, you can be your own hero or at least get a little closer to looking like one....

People usually use performance-enhancing drugs to boost athletic performance. While drugs such as anabolic-androgenic steroids, growth hormones, stimulants and diuretics may help certain people attain short-term physical goals related to muscle building, speed, strength or weight management, these drugs may also have serious side effects. Liver problems, cardiovascular effects, emotional instability and severe dehydration are several well-known effects of some performance-enhancing drugs. Advertisement Anabolic and Growth Effects Certain performance-enhancing drugs have anabolic effects, meaning they promote the building of muscle....

There are many simple and effective exercises to help you strengthen your spine. Image Credit: Koldunov/iStock/GettyImages While you can’t actually strengthen your spine, you can strengthen the muscles that surround it, and this thick group of muscles is called the erector spinae, according to ExRx.net. These muscles extend from the base of your head all the way down to the bottom of your back. Advertisement "Spine strengthening" exercises such as a plank or bent-over row are easy to perform, and they will help you to develop the strength and support your spine needs....

Beans are a low-glycemic index food. Image Credit: Blue Jean Images/Photodisc/Getty Images Where a carbohydrate food falls on the glycemic index indicates how much it will raise your blood sugar. This is particularly important if you have diabetes, as your body’s ability to manage the amount of sugar in your blood is impaired. Although carbohydrate counting is a more effective way to plan meals and manage your glucose levels, the glycemic index can help you fine-tune your carb intake, reports the American Diabetes Association....

Prunes can be a part of a healthy diet for just about anyone. Image Credit: nata_vkusidey/iStock/GettyImages Prunes are a fruit with an undeservedly bad reputation. The high fiber content of prunes is commonly associated with regulation of bowel habits, but prunes have many other redeeming factors. For example, prunes have an extraordinary amount of antioxidants. Advertisement In fact, according to ​The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth​, they contain more antioxidants than any other fruit....

A knife cutting a habanero pepper in half. Image Credit: TKphotography64/iStock/Getty Images The habanero pepper is one of the hottest varieties of chili peppers. The Scoville unit of measure is directly related to a chemical called capsaicin. The higher the number of Scoville units, the greater the concentration of capsaicin. The habanero pepper measures from 100,000 to 500,000 Scoville units compared with a jalapeno pepper, which measures 5,000 to 15,000 Scoville units....

Use coconut cream as a heavy cream substitute when you're baking dairy-free desserts. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages A dollop of whipped cream atop a piece of pie is decadently delicious — but not so good for your health or your waistline. Just 1 tablespoon of whipping cream has more than 50 calories and 3.4 grams of saturated fat. Advertisement Fortunately, if you want a different topper on your pie — or in a rich cream-based sauce — you can whip up several easy substitutes with ingredients already in your kitchen....

Vegan diets rely heavily on sprouts, which are a good source of protein, B vitamins and other nutrients. Image Credit: Marc Belair/iStock/GettyImages Vegan diets rely heavily on sprouts, which are a good source of protein, B vitamins and other nutrients. These veggies can be a healthy addition to salads, soups and energy-boosting smoothies. Although they’re typically consumed raw, cooking them is the only way to prevent foodborne illnesses. Advertisement Are Raw Sprouts Safe?...

Miso soup might be lunch on Hiromi Shinya's recommended diet. Image Credit: Hue/amanaimagesRF/amana images/Getty Images After practicing as a gastroenterologist for decades, Dr. Hiromi Shinya claims he has discovered the key to better health: a diet heavy in plant-based foods with few or no dairy products or animal-based protein. His theory, which he detailed in his 2007 book “The Enzyme Factor,” is based on the premise that this type of diet will maintain your enzyme concentration, leading to a healthier digestive tract and a lower overall risk of disease....

Fruits and veggies last in the freezer indefinitely, whether you buy them frozen or freeze them from fresh yourself. Image Credit: MarianVejcik/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Fruit Shelf Life How to Freeze Fruit Vegetable Shelf Life How to Freeze Veggies Freezing foods like fruit and vegetables extends their lifespan, but do frozen foods eventually go bad? Advertisement Freezing prevents food poisoning bacteria from growing, so no matter how long frozen food has been in the freezer, it's still safe to eat, according to the USDA....

Low-carb diets promote weight loss. Image Credit: warrengoldswain/iStock/Getty Images When you’re on a low-carb diet, your body kicks into action, breaking down fats into ketone bodies to use for energy. This increase in ketones — called ketosis — is a normal adaptation to cutting carbs. In fact, the switch to ketosis is why low-carb diets work. Even though you could eat enough carbs to prevent ketosis, it’s important to clarify why you want to avoid it....