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A large bar of dark chocolate sits on a cutting board on a wooden table. Image Credit: DanielAzocar/iStock/Getty Images Dieting is never easy. Although it is difficult to track statistically the percentage of dieters who succeed in keeping the weight off, clinical psychologist Lavinia Rodriguez, a specialist in weight management, in an article for TampaBay.com, estimates that the rate of failure is around 90 percent. One of Rodriguez’ biggest criticisms of too-strict diet plans, those most likely to result in failure, is that they eliminate certain types of food completely, and that these foods are usually your favorites....

Talk to yourself like you'd talk to a good friend — meaning, be kind and understanding to yourself and your new body. Image Credit: JLco - Julia Amaral/iStock/GettyImages When you’re an athlete at any level, your body adapts to the sport your play. It harbors the effects of your hard work — your muscles forming to boast time under strain. The more you specialize in a sport, the more your body reflects it....

It is safe to get a flu shot this year, and it's more important than ever. Image Credit: Geber86/E+/GettyImages You’d be forgiven if you were slightly more focused on the latest COVID-19 vaccine developments than the flu vaccine. But this annual shot deserves your attention, too. Advertisement The flu kills hundreds of thousands of people every year, and with COVID-19 still a major concern, you've got a risk of co-infection, which could be very dangerous for even the healthiest person....

The flu shot has benefits beyond lowering your risk of getting sick. Image Credit: SDI Productions/E+/GettyImages You may hear it from your mom, your employer or your local pharmacist (or, more likely, all three): “Don’t forget your flu shot.” But did you know that getting vaccinated offers more benefits than just, well, protection from the flu? Advertisement Of course, there's no guarantee you won't get sick, since the shot is meant to protect against only the most common strains of the flu virus....

Utilizing kettlebells in workouts is a safe way for older adults to strength train. Image Credit: Thomas Barwick/Stone/GettyImages As we get older, taking care of ourselves becomes essential — and a big part of that is exercise. Older adults in their 60s and above should aim to make exercise a part of their daily and weekly routines, as it can delay the onset of common health problems. Exercise can also lower blood pressure, decrease the risk of heart disease, help you get better sleep and improve balance....

Chicken legs provide protein and phosphorus essential to good health. Image Credit: gbh007/iStock/Getty Images Chicken is a staple in many diets – the average American eats 90 pounds annually, according to the University of South Florida – and chicken legs’ juicy dark meat works well in a variety of dishes. Chicken legs make healthy additions to your diet, too, providing minerals and vitamins your cells require to function. Just make sure to remove the skin and fat from chicken legs before cooking to minimize your saturated fat intake....

Are peanuts good for your heart? Image Credit: nilimage/iStock/GettyImages Despite their name, peanuts are neither nuts nor peas. They belong to the legume family, which includes lentils, chickpeas and beans. Unlike nuts, which grow on trees, peanuts start growing on the ground and eventually burrow underground, where they mature. Advertisement Peanuts are nutritionally dense; in fact, peanut butter is often the food of choice in polar expeditions because it is high in protein and calories, and requires no cooking or preparation....

The Arnold press is the perfect variation to target different parts of your shoulder than the standard press. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative In This Article Intructions Arnold Press vs. Shoulder Press Benefits Tips Variations Alternative If you want to do something right, learn from the best. So if one of your fitness goals is to build strong shoulders, include the Arnold press in your workouts. Advertisement Why? Because this twisting version of a dumbbell shoulder press was popularized by (and named for) one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time: Arnold Schwarzenegger....

Sunflower seeds are filled with vitamin E. Image Credit: fcafotodigital/iStock/GettyImages Getting enough vitamin E may help prevent disease by fighting free radical damage and reducing inflammation, two factors at play in the major health risks men face, including prostate cancer and heart disease. Eating a nutritious diet that provides adequate amounts of the essential vitamins is recommended for all men, but taking supplements may not provide any additional vitamin E benefits for men....

Include strength training to rebuild lost muscle mass. Image Credit: Courtney Hale/E+/GettyImages Trying to get back in shape is frustrating at any age; but it can be even more discouraging when you’re older and wondering whether it’s even ​possible.​ Rest assured, getting fit after 50 is absolutely possible. It may not be as easy as it was when you were 20, but the rewards will be just as great — if not more so — in your later years....

Women who take testosterone may experience unpleasant side effects. Both male and female bodies produce natural testosterone, although women produce only small amounts of this hormone. Methyltestosterone is a synthetic form of testosterone. Even though testosterone replacement therapy is more common for men, women may also benefit from this drug. This drug can cause side effects, including serious complications that require immediate medical attention. Advertisement Testosterone The female ovaries and adrenal system produce small amounts of testosterone....

Neck sprains can be serious, and patients should avoid aggravating them. The bones in your neck connect to tendons and ligaments. A neck sprain is a stretch or tear in one of these tissues, usually caused by turning or extending the neck too suddenly or too far. Neck sprains can cause pain, tension and tingling sensations in the neck and shoulders, limited range of motion and headaches. Always consult your physician regarding exercise regimens after experiencing any kind of neck strain....

If you don't pay attention to proper form during your push-up, you could end up on the injured list. Image Credit: RuslanDashinsky/E+/GettyImages The great thing about push-ups is that you can stop, drop and do them anywhere. A simple body-weight exercise, it’s the perfect addition to almost any workout — or as a simple add-on after a cardio-centric session, like running or cycling. Advertisement Plus, adding them into your fitness mix can have a slew of total-body benefits....

Climbing stairs is a great work out. Image Credit: lzf/iStock/Getty Images If you crave muscular glutes, toned thighs and calves, and a kick-butt cardio workout, then it’s time to climb some stairs. Everyone from elite athletes to weekend warriors to beginners can climb stairs, making it an effective overall workout for all fitness levels. Advertisement Not only are stairs a fantastic cardio workout, but stair exercises for abs can also shred the fat around your waist and leave you with that flat stomach you've always desired....

A prescription pill bottle. Image Credit: Jeng_Niamwhan/iStock/Getty Images Amphetamines are classified as a stimulant and function as an appetite suppressant in diet pills. The term “amphetamines” typically refers to the different types, such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine, states the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. While amphetamines have been used therapeutically since the 1920s, their abuse has required restriction and enforcement. All diet pills with amphetamines that are FDA approved require a doctor’s prescription....

Lung nodules may or may not cause symptoms like coughing. Image Credit: Kadek Bonit Permadi/iStock/GettyImages You might find it surprising that small growths can occur almost anywhere inside the body, including on a lung. Often, such growths, called lung nodules, are only detected when you have a test for something else. Here’s what you need to know about how serious they could be. Advertisement Size Matters Typically, a lung nodule is a small growth in the tissue of the lung, smaller than 3 centimeters, or just over an inch, according to the Cleveland Clinic....

The human body can extract energy from carbs, fat and protein. Image Credit: a_namenko/iStock/GettyImages Carbohydrates, in the form of glucose, are your body’s preferred source of energy. But when you don’t consume enough carbs, your body may turn to fat or protein for energy. Fat is incredibly rich in energy and can fuel your body even if you’re fasting. Fat can be converted to glucose, but the process is so inefficient that you lose energy....

Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. Image Credit: Jacob Ammentorp Lund/iStock/Getty Images Whether your goal is to lose weight, maintain your weight or to gain weight, exercise can play a key role in helping you find the right balance between calories in and calories out. Athletes on a rigorous training schedule may burn a significant number of calories, and some or all of those calories may need to be replaced to maintain good health and energy levels....

Some people swear that a pinch of pink Himalayan salt takes away hunger during fasting. Image Credit: Diana Taliun/iStock/GettyImages Himalayan pink salt and intermittent fasting have both been trendy over the last few years, and now the two are colliding. There’s more and more chatter online about taking pink salt to help curb hunger during intermittent fasting. But does it actually work? Advertisement The answer depends on who you ask. While some fans of intermittent fasting say a mid-fast snack of plain salt keeps stomach rumbles at bay, most nutrition experts disagree....

Stretching can help with joint pain. Image Credit: Peter Cade/Stone/GettyImages Painful movement of the joints near the tips of your fingers or toes, or your distal interphalangeal joints, may result from injuries, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. Your distal interphalangeal joints, or DIP joints, are the joints found near the tips of your fingers and toes. Advertisement Performing range-of-motion exercises may help increase flexibility to help alleviate toe or finger DIP joint pain....