Posts

This superset ab workout is completely body-weight and targets every muscle in your core. Image Credit: Aleksandr Kondratov/iStock/GettyImages Like peanut butter and jelly, some things are just better in pairs. The same rule applies to your ab exercises. Advertisement You can sprinkle some core moves into your workout here and there, but some exercises strengthen and shed fat even better when done back-to-back, also known as a superset. And this workout designed by Carolina Araujo, CPT, a New York-based certified personal trainer, is proof....

Staying hydrated is crucial to a healthy, effective fast. Image Credit: boonchai wedmakawand/Moment/GettyImages Fasting takes many forms, including a time-honored way to show respect during periods of religious observance, get in closer touch with your spiritual side, jump-start a weight loss program, prepare your body for a medical procedure or make a political statement. Advertisement Methods of fasting range from avoiding all solid foods while drinking juices, smoothies and broths to taking in nothing but water....

Monster energy drinks can elevate the heart rate. Image Credit: Mauro Matacchione/iStock/Getty Images Many consumers are drawn to energy drinks to feel effects such as energy boosts, enhanced concentration and increased stamina. There are many brands of energy drinks, including Monster, that provide these desired outcomes. The concern for many health professionals is the impact these drinks are having on the body, particularly the heart. There is a significant increase in heart rate each time these drinks are consumed....

While apple pie calories mostly come from sugar, you can make a healthier version at home. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Particularly during the winter months, apple pie is an all-American delicacy. The warm pie is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or topped with whipped cream. Advertisement As a sweet, high-calorie dessert, portion control is key when eating apple pie. Video of the Day One slice of apple pie can contain between 300 and 400 calories, depending on the size of the pie....

Psyllium husk on a white background. Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/Getty Images Even though psyllium is a very effective laxative, it’s actually a soluble fiber, which is unusual because soluble fibers are not known for laxative abilities – a job that falls to insoluble fiber. In addition to it’s laxative abilities, psyllium provides all the same benefits as soluble fibers. It’s also a prebiotic fiber, which means it supports the good bacteria in your colon....

Vitamins and minerals could possibly lose potency after their expiration dates. You may buy of bottle of vitamins or minerals, take them for a few weeks and then stop. They may stay in your medicine cabinet for a few years without you thinking about the expiration date -- until you decide to start taking the supplement again. While you may think twice about taking zinc that's past its expiration date, taking expired minerals won't hurt you....

Work out out at least twice a week. Image Credit: MoMo Productions/Stone/GettyImages If you’re looking to build muscle in a short amount of time, working out once a week probably won’t cut it. But, if that’s all the time you’ve got, you can still build muscle — the process will just take a bit longer. Advertisement Tip If your goal is to build muscle, working out once a week isn't ideal....

Uncooked brown rice on a wooden spoon. Image Credit: pproman/iStock/Getty Images Brown rice, a very popular food source, can play an important role in your everyday digestion. Brown rice is what is known as a fiber, and a diet made up of high levels of fiber comes with numerous benefits, a few of which help improve your digestive system. By increasing the amount of brown rice you ingest every day you can improve your overall health and make your digestive system work more efficiently....

Some digestive diseases can cause painful symptoms. The human digestive system is a system of organs and glands that processes the food we eat. When the system works as it should, we can eat food and digest its nutrients to provide our bodies with the energy and nutrition we need. However, some diseases get in the way of this process and can pose significant health risks. If you're having difficulty digesting food or are experiencing ongoing digestive problems, you should consult a physician or other health care provider for medical advice....

A man is dumping soup into a blender. Image Credit: Howard Shooter/Dorling Kindersley RF/Getty Images “Pureed” is a general term referring to food, usually cooked vegetables or raw fruit, that has been blended, processed or mashed so it has the consistency of a thick liquid. Common examples include mashed potatoes, applesauce and guacamole. Pureed food is necessary for babies and elderly people who have no teeth, but it can also benefit others if they take the time to mix it with saliva in the mouth....

Vinegar doesn't kill germs, but it can be a useful addition to your cleaning kit. Image Credit: Dougal Waters/DigitalVision/GettyImages Maybe you’re tired of buying plastic bottles, or maybe you want to try a more natural cleaning solution. Either way, cleaning with white vinegar has probably crossed your radar. Advertisement The acidic substance can be useful in certain situations (like, say, when you're making a salad), but does vinegar really work as a household cleaner?...

Exercises can help you regain mobility with damaged knee cartilage. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages Cartilage is a flexible structure that cushions your joints so that the bones don’t rub together. Knee cartilage can become damaged in different ways. One type of knee cartilage injury is a torn meniscus. Advertisement The meniscus is a large piece of cartilage that is attached to your knee's ligaments, as explained by Sports Injury Clinic. Another form of knee cartilage damage is the wearing away of the substance that occurs when you have osteoarthritis....

After your physician determines the cause, and prescribes an appropriate treatment plan, you can use that guidance to create a lifestyle that promotes good heart health. Image Credit: dima_sidelnikov/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve ever experienced a heart racing and lightheaded feeling, it can certainly be a cause for concern. After your physician determines the cause, and prescribes an appropriate treatment plan, you can use that guidance to create a lifestyle that promotes good heart health....

Testosterone-based hormone therapy can help align a person's inner gender experience with their outward gender expression. Image Credit: jacoblund/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Definition Who It's Right For Timeline Permanent Changes Benefits and Side Effects Personal Experience How to Find a Doctor One of the biggest milestones of any transgender person's life is going on hormones. And yet, there are so many questions you may have around the process, especially when it comes to the physical and mental changes to expect....

Swimmers compete in a race. Image Credit: Chad McDermott/iStock/Getty Images Swimming is an ancient sport that has long promoted survival, health and recreation. It skyrocketed in popularity in the early 1900s thanks to the competitions held by the National Swimming Society of Great Britain. By then, four particular strokes were already well known to most of the competitors. Advertisement Breaststroke Beginnings Cave paintings from the Stone Age depict swimmers using the breaststroke technique....

cheese and potato pierogis Image Credit: theospoint/iStock/Getty Images Of Polish origin, but popular throughout eastern European and beyond, pierogies are dumplings that you can stuff with whatever you prefer such as sauerkraut, meat, fruit, as well as potatoes and cheese. Advertisement Ingredients Recipes vary, but typically, pierogi dough is based on a flour, egg and butter mixture and often includes a healthy helping of sour cream. A cheese and potato filling might include mashed potatoes, cheese, butter, as well as grated onion, salt and pepper for added flavor....

Chinese chicken balls can contain significant calories. Image Credit: Tapsiful/iStock/Getty Images Chicken balls, usually made in sweet and sour sauce, are a common food in Chinese cuisine. They are typically breaded and deep fried, and can be high in calories. Advertisement Sweet and Sour Two chicken balls in sweet and sour sauce have 162 calories and 5 g of protein. Additionally, the chicken balls have slightly more than two-thirds of the daily recommended vitamin C intake, according to the My Fitness Pal....

Total weekly volume may matter more than how many times you train each week. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Workout frequency is a much-debated topic in the fitness world. Is more better? Or do muscles need more recovery to reach their full size potential? The answer is, unfortunately, not cut and dried. While research reveals some benefit to higher training frequencies, it may be total volume that makes more of a difference. Ultimately, it’s whatever works best for your own body....

Doing a strength workout after a flu shot may improve your immunity and symptoms — as long as you feel up to it and listen to your body. Image Credit: PeopleImages/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Workout Tips When to Rest Nothing gets in the way of lifting weights quite like a sore, swollen deltoid. But you can still get in a great strength workout after a flu shot. Advertisement In fact, working out after your shot can help you fight the flu....

Mixing your favorite high-calorie foods into a protein smoothie may help you gain weight. Image Credit: Galina Sandalova/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Nuts Oils Milk Yogurt Cheese Butter Eggs Red Meat Poultry Fish Olives Avocados Dried Fruit Starches Rice Whole Grains Cereals Smoothies Protein Powder Dark Chocolate It can be hard to eat enough extra calories without feeling too full if you're trying to gain weight. Increasing portion sizes can help, but it may not work if you don't have a big appetite....