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references Harvard Health Publishing: "Wearable Weights: How They Can Help or Hurt" Strap on a pair of ankle weights for this full-body workout. Image Credit: Gabriele Maltinti/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: Gabriele Maltinti/iStock/GettyImages If you are looking for more resistance while walking or running, Harvard Health suggests a weighted vest instead of ankle weights as this distributes the weight more evenly and doesn’t overly stress your joints. If you have arthritis or other joint issues, make sure you talk to a doctor before using ankle or wrist weights....

One great thing about this color breathing exercise? You can practice it virtually anywhere. Image Credit: miodrag ignjatovic/E+/GettyImages Have you ever noticed that negative thoughts seem to stick around a lot longer than positive ones? Quieting concerns or anxieties can be a challenge, but a bit of mindfulness can help. Advertisement Mindfulness is the practice of being present, and it combats negative thoughts by encouraging us to live in the moment, according to the American Psychological Association....

Yogurt with raspberries Image Credit: Kaycco/iStock/Getty Images Azithromycin is a “broad-spectrum” antibiotic that is similar to its much older cousin, erythromycin. Azithromycin is effective against a wide array of bacteria, including staphylococcus, streptococcus, haemophilus and chlamydia, so it can be used for treating a variety of conditions, such as strep throat, ear infections, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, skin infections and some sexually transmitted diseases. Like all broad spectrum antibiotics, azithromycin does not discriminate between pathogenic bacteria and “friendly” bacteria....

A man is hanging from a pull-up bar. Image Credit: GaudiLab/iStock/Getty Images A standard pullup is an upper body builder that requires nothing more than a pullup bar. A regular front pullup builds your upper arms, shoulders, abs and back muscles, but it may become mundane over time. Adding variations to your pullup routine, such as the behind-the-neck, or rear, pullup is one way to prevent boredom and add intensity to your workout routine....

Blood glucose and food logs are helpful tools to manage your diabetes. Image Credit: nensuria/iStock/Getty Images You may be puzzled by a high blood glucose reading in the morning despite going to bed with a good reading the night before. Or your postmeal blood glucose may be lower than the reading before you ate. Unusual blood glucose fluctuation can be frustrating for diabetics and is affected by many factors. Keeping a good record of your diet, medication and blood glucose can often help you solve the mystery....

Wearing compression stockings while exercising is not contraindicated and in some cases, even recommended. Image Credit: sportpoint/iStock/GettyImages Wearing your compression stockings while exercising is not contraindicated and in some cases, even recommended. The question is whether wearing your compression stockings while exercising is necessary and if they have any positive effects on exercise. Advertisement Because the evidence is conflicting, consult your doctor to make a decision based on your unique needs and circumstances....

A sandwich made with whole grain bread. Image Credit: AlexPro9500/iStock/Getty Images People with type A blood – whether A-negative or A-positive – are descended from ancient Asian and European vegetarian farmers, claims Peter D’Adamo, the creator of the Blood Type diet. According to D’Adamo, type A individuals are healthier and lose weight more easily if their diet reflects that of their ancestors. The NYU Langone Medical Center, however, recommends against the diet because it is not supported by scientific evidence and requires some individuals, including those with type A blood, to avoid whole categories of foods....

Hair loss is not a common side effect of blood pressure medication, but it does happen sometimes. Image Credit: Voyagerix/iStock/GettyImages Medications to treat high blood pressure could leave you with significant hair loss. On the up side, it’s not very common and the hair loss is likely reversible. Switching medications or exploring other possible reasons for your hair loss may help. Advertisement Statistics about how often people on medications for high blood pressure — also known as hypertension — develop hair loss are scarce....

Yoga mats are pretty portable, so you can take them with you wherever you practice. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images A yoga mat makes you feel as if you’ve arrived. It marks your space in class and can sometimes act as a status symbol as people admire its design, logo or cush-factor. But is it really a necessity or just another accessory born from the Westernization of the practice?...

Quick initial weight loss can be very encouraging, but is it water weight or actual fat? Image Credit: Georgiy Datsenko/iStock/GettyImages After beginning a new diet and exercise program, many people experience a sudden drop in body weight, sometimes of more than five pounds in a week. This dramatic change is very encouraging, and motivates people to continue with their new lifestyle changes. However, after two or three weeks, weight loss generally slows down considerably to anywhere from one-half to two pounds of weight loss a week....

For the best workout possible, avoid holding on to the treadmill railings unless your safety is at risk. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. Treadmills provide an effective and efficient workout for all fitness levels without having the brave the elements outdoors. But it’s important to use it correctly so that you get the most out of your walk or run....

Running after lifting won't ruin your workout. Image Credit: petrunjela/iStock/Getty Images When you schedule a workout into your busy day, you probably have only a small window of time to get the job done. So what’s the best way to structure an efficient gym session — do you get your treadmill stint in before the weight room or do you try running after lifting? Advertisement Tip Running after lifting will not ruin your workout....

Stress affects hormone levels that may increase your body's metabolism. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Stress affects people in a variety of ways. Some may lose weight, while others may gain. Both epinephrine and cortisol are adrenal stress hormones that might be partly responsible for these reactions. Cortisol increases your metabolism, but it also makes you hungry. So while your body may be burning more calories when you’re stressed, you may eat more to compensate....

Weight training can add strength and body mass. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is considered a small heavyweight compared with some of the behemoths that populate the division, dating from the early 1990s. Holyfield had to build up his 190-lb. cruiserweight body with a carefully targeted weight-training program to get to 215 lbs., so he could successfully compete against men who weighed close to 240 or 250....

The bird dog pose is a good exercise to strengthen the sacrum. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages You know that working your back muscles is crucial for spine health, but does your workout include sacrum exercises? This bony structure stabilizes your pelvis and forms the base of your spine. Like other structures in your back, it’s vulnerable to wear-and-tear, fractures and trauma. Advertisement Exercises for Sacrum Pain The sacrum supports the weight of your upper body, which is why it’s important to keep it strong....

Magnesium and zinc are minerals essential for human health. Magnesium plays an important role in bone health and blood pressure regulation. The recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for magnesium for men is 420 milligrams, or mg, and for women, 320 mg. Zinc is important for the metabolism of the foods you eat, DNA synthesis and wound healing. The RDA for zinc is 15 mg for men and women. In this article, 420 mg is used to calculate the percentage of RDA met for magnesium for each food item....

references National Cancer Institute: "Chemicals in Meat Cooked at High Temperatures and Cancer Risk" Nutrition and Cancer: "Well-done Meat Intake, Heterocyclic Amine Exposure, and Cancer Risk" Mutation Research: "Meat intake and cooking techniques: associations with pancreatic cancer" American Institute for Cancer Research: "Cancer Experts Issue Warning on Grilling Safety" Nutrition Reviews: "Formation and Human Risk of Carcinogenic Heterocyclic Amines Formed from Natural Precursors in Meat" Cedars-Sinai: Healthy Grilling: "Reducing the Risk of Cancer" International Agency for Research on Cancer: "IARC Monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and processed meat" American Cancer Society: "What’s Wrong with Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, and Bacon?...

You can do light leg presses during ACL recovery. Image Credit: Kateryna Kukota/iStock/GettyImages There’s not an injury out there that’s pleasant, but ACL tears are unique in that they make your knee feel incredibly vulnerable. The ACL is instrumental in holding your knee in place, which means tearing it can make you feel very wobbly. Advertisement After surgery — which will very likely be required — it's time to do ACL recovery exercises in the gym to build back your muscles and confidence....

A teenager eating a healthy snack after working out. Image Credit: karelnoppe/iStock/Getty Images If you are skinnier than your friends, you may feel the need to gain weight to catch up in size. Most teens don’t have any reason to try to gain any weight. However, you may be able to naturally put on extra pounds if you focus on developing stronger muscles. Advertisement Normal Body Variations Teens – especially guys – may expect to develop some extra muscle weight as they grow into their adult bodies....

There are pros and cons to letting Fluffy or Fido snuggle up with you at night. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. In This Article Allergies and Asthma Flea Bites Sleep Quality Mood Tips for Doing It The Bottom Line If you crave peak cozy, welcoming your cat or dog — or both — onto your bed delivers....