references LIVESTRONG.com 1 of 22 Overview From the Thighmaster and Shake Weight to anti-aging miracle elixirs, the health and fitness industry is saturated with products promising big results with little effort. Six-pack abs in 60 seconds? Only in your dreams. Shoes that tone your legs and butt? Better keep on walking. That's not to say all gadgets are a waste of your time (and money). There are products out there that actually work....
Pace yourself while during the jump rope intervals of this workout. Image Credit: yacobchuk/iStock/GettyImages Jumping rope for 20 minutes straight doesn’t exactly sound like a great time — although it may be a good cardio workout. But toss in some lower-body, chiseling exercises, and you have a well-rounded strength and cardio workout. Advertisement Split into three circuits, this body-weight leg workout is the perfect way to hone your jump-rope technique, while giving your heart and lower body a brutal burn in just 20 minutes....
Leek and potato soup can be a healthy meal or snack. Image Credit: SilviaLiPhotography/iStock/Getty Images Leek and potato soup is not only tasty, inexpensive and filling, but it can also be a healthy meal option depending on the ingredients. Advertisement While pre-made leek and potato soup can be hard to find on the shelf, the homemade version is fairly simple to make and allows greater control over the nutritional content. The total calories in potato soup will change depending on the ingredients, so choose recipes and ingredients carefully....
Pan seared sea scallops Image Credit: HHLtDave5/iStock/Getty Images Sea scallops, a form of mollusk, have many nutritional benefits, including having lean protein, and various vitamins and minerals. They make a good addition to a weight-management plan, as they’re low in calories. Using a low-fat method of cooking, such as grilling, broiling, steaming or sauteing helps keep the calories down. The flesh of this shellfish is slightly sweet and moist, and pairs well with garlic, onions and herbs....
A sugar detox can help you learn how to eat a balanced diet that doesn't include lots of added sugars. Image Credit: virtustudio/iStock/GettyImages You know the feeling: It’s 3 p.m. and that craving strikes. Maybe it’s a muffin, or a Coke, or a Frappuccino. But chances are, whatever you’re hankering for, it’s loaded with sugar. Advertisement These indulgences are fine once in a while. But if you're like most people, you're consuming far more than the recommended amount of the sweet stuff on a daily basis — and it could seriously affect your health....
Even if you're dairy-free, you can find a healthy sour cream substitute for all of your baking needs. Image Credit: ~UserGI15633745/iStock/GettyImages If you run out of sour cream in the middle of a baking project, don’t despair: There are other ingredients you can use to replace it. Plus, several sour cream alternatives are actually lower in calories and boast better overall nutrition than the original stuff. Advertisement In fact, you can increase the protein content and lower the fat depending on the sour cream substitute you choose, notes Amy Shapiro, RD and founder of Real Nutrition....
Bridges are a great exercise to work the same muscles as the deadlift without lifting weights. Image Credit: Vicheslav/iStock/GettyImages The deadlift is often called the king of exercises, and for good reason. It works nearly every major muscle group in your body — the lower, mid and upper back, your glutes, hamstrings, core and forearms. Advertisement Including the deadlift in your program when training for strength, fitness, muscle mass or performance is certainly beneficial....
Cheeseburger on plate Image Credit: Lilechka75/iStock/Getty Images Ground beef hamburgers in American date back to the late 1800s, though no one is certain who actually made the first hamburger and bun. The most popular story is that the hamburger was first sold by a Texan at the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. Since then burgers have evolved to include different types of ground meat, but no matter what the ingredients they’re a good source of minerals and vitamins....
Cabbage isn't known to cause acid reflux, but plenty of other common foods are. Image Credit: tommaso79/iStock/GettyImages Many foods make the list of common causes of heartburn (acid reflux) — that burning sensation in your chest that can extend upward into your throat. One food that may be obvious to some but never seems to be on these lists is cabbage. Advertisement The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, for example, lists greasy foods and tomato-based products, among foods to avoid if you have reflux....
Tomato bruschetta topped with a smidgen of black olives and fresh herbs. Image Credit: VankaD/iStock/Getty Images Made with tangy tomatoes and fresh basil, bruschetta topping is loaded with flavor but very short on calories. Trouble can start, however, if you prepare the bruschetta’s toast base with too much butter or oil. If you’re trying to cut back on calories, use just a light brushing of olive oil on your bread before toasting and don’t add any fatty toppings such as mozzarella cheese....
While negative-calorie foods may sound like the ultimate diet hack, chewing on celery won't help you drop pounds. Image Credit: al62/iStock/GettyImages Raise your hand if you’ve ever chomped on a stalk of celery in hopes of burning some extra calories. After all, it’s a negative-calorie food, right? Advertisement Many of us have fallen victim to seemingly promising diet hacks such as eating negative-calorie foods, which supposedly burn more calories to digest than they supply....
Raw ground beef, hamburger meat and dishes like steak tartare are not considered safe to eat, per USDA regulations. Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/Getty Images While meat-loving foodies may swoon for steak tartare or yukhoe, eating raw meat or even rare cooked beef may not be safe. Food poisoning can occur if the raw or undercooked beef is contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria, according to the USDA. Advertisement Cooking beef steaks or roasts to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit followed by resting the meat for 3 minutes before eating kills most of these germs, according to the USDA....
Egg whites contain proteins that may help reduce wrinkles. The aging of skin is a natural process but still a little hard to swallow. Many factors affect the elasticity of skin, such as sun exposure and diet. Even the most pampered skin eventually begins to show signs of aging and develops wrinkles. Some over-the-counter products contain ingredients, such as alpha hydroxy acid, that may effectively reduce wrinkles, but they can be costly, and the effects short-lived....
Vitamins have no effect on breast size. Image Credit: skaman306/Moment/GettyImages Women are constantly bombarded with messages about how they are supposed to look, and among the silliest is the idea that you’ve got to have at least a C-cup breast size to attract a mate. Of course, manufacturers leapt right in to offer a solution with no effort required beyond swallowing the magic pills they sell. Unless you also count swallowing their questionable claims....
After you lose noticeable weight, extra sagging skin may be a problem. Image Credit: Getty Images/Adam Kaz Sagging skin can come with age and extreme weight loss, and you may want to restore it to a tighter, firmer look. In some cases, surgery may be the only option; consult with your doctor. But at-home methods of proper hydration, diet, skin care and exercise can go a long way. Advertisement Read more: The Best Anti-Aging Tips Regardless of Your Age Video of the Day The Science of Sagging Skin Collagen, a protein building block of tissue, gives your skin its strength....
Constant calorie burn can help you lose weight. Image Credit: simonlong/Moment/GettyImages It’s easy to say that most people need to spend more time exercising to slim down. But, when you have barriers standing in your way, losing weight can be a daunting endeavor. Advertisement Whether you're too busy for the more standard forms of exercise or you don't have the mobility to use standard gym equipment, one alternative is to use a mini-exercise bike, sometimes referred to as an exercise peddler....
Without carbs, your body is forced to burn fat for fuel during your run. Image Credit: lzf/iStock/Getty Images Runners know they need to carb-up to get the energy necessary to push their muscles to get in those miles. But if you’re following a low-carb diet, your muscles don’t have the carbs to burn and may turn to fat instead. While there haven’t been studies on runners specifically, your body does burn fat for fuel when you exercise on a low-carb diet....
Water on the knee can be caused by repetitive exercise, such as running. Image Credit: Anut21ng/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve got swelling in your knee, it can cause stiffness and limit your ability to move. Exercises for water on the knee won’t fix the underlying problem, but they can improve your mobility. Advertisement Causes of Knee Swelling Knee swelling, or effusion, can be caused by a variety of conditions. According to an article published in the May 2019 issue of the journal Pain Research and Management, it is the most common symptom of knee arthritis....
Hypoglycemia may cause you to suddenly experience dizziness and other symptoms. Image Credit: Pheelings Media/iStock/GettyImages If it’s been a while since you ate and you experience weakness, dizziness or sweating and shaking all of a sudden, it might be due to hypoglycemia — commonly called low blood sugar. Though this can be frightening or even dangerous, hypoglycemia is preventable and easily treatable. Advertisement Understanding Hypoglycemia Abnormally low blood sugar that occurs before you eat, especially if it’s been several hours since your last meal or snack, is known as fasting hypoglycemia....
Running is a great exercise for the brain. Image Credit: Cavan Images/Cavan/GettyImages Mind exercises for seniors may help prevent cognitive decline. Exercise doesn’t have to be one-dimensional either. Seniors can benefit from a wide array of activities, such as walking, lifting weights and playing board games. Advertisement About Mild Cognitive Impairment Exercise is often prescribed to help slow the development of diseases like obesity and diabetes. Working out can help keep your body healthy, improve your physical performance and prevent such diseases....
