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A woman is cycling on a forest path. Image Credit: petrunjela/iStock/Getty Images A lot of men and women struggle to shed the pounds of fat that accumulate around the stomach, and some exercises are more helpful than others. It’s not going to melt away with crunches, for instance, because they simply don’t burn enough calories to reveal the muscles that crunches target. You have to help your body burn off the fat with aerobic exercises like cycling, which at a moderate pace of 15 mph can burn 465 calories per hour, according to Dr....

Strength training can help promote fat loss, including lower back fat. Image Credit: MilosStankovic/E+/GettyImages Losing fat from certain areas of the body, like the lower back and waist, can seem trickier than others and — unfortunately — spot reduction (aka targeted weight loss) is a myth. Advertisement But by reducing your calories, cleaning up your diet and exercising strategically, you can lose fat across your entire body, including those hard-to-target love handles....

red one speed cruiser bike Image Credit: Ron Chapple Stock/Ron Chapple Studios/Getty Images Your cruiser bike is an ideal ride for city streets and rolling bike trails. Deciding whether or not to spring for a seven-speed over a single speed cruiser depends on where you plan to be riding. Seven-speed cruiser bikes use a derailleur to change the gear ratio between the chainring and the cassette, which makes it harder or easier to pedal at different speeds....

Cozy up to these filling soup recipes that are as comforting as they are delicious. Image Credit: thesomegirl/iStock/GettyImages We often limit soups to the cold-weather seasons, but they’re a great meal option any time of the year — especially when they’re rich in protein and keep you full for hours. Advertisement To give you some kitchen inspiration, we asked two registered dietitians for high-protein soup recipes that are delicious, relatively simple to prepare and offer at least 15 grams of protein per serving....

Meals that fit into your obesity diet plan can be delicious, too. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages Close to half of the United States population — 42 percent, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — is living with obesity, which increases the risk for a host of harmful health conditions. Advertisement Although it's not easy to lose weight to get below the obesity threshold, there are a variety of tried-and-true tactics that can help you along the path toward losing weight, including creating a healthy meal plan for obesity....

As you get older, you may find yourself more likely to wake up with the sunrise. Image Credit: adamkaz/E+/GettyImages Knees get a little creakier. Vision gets a little blurrier. Memory gets a little foggier. We’re plenty familiar with the negative ways our bodies can change as time marches on. But people, it’s not all bad. Advertisement Turns out, some of the natural physical processes that happen as we get older can actually have some pretty sweet side effects....

Shaolin temple Image Credit: Bamboome/iStock/Getty Images Shaolin kung fu has always been known for promoting extraordinary skills and abilities through its punishing traditional exercises. These exercises are significantly different than modern athletic training, and most martial arts outside of the Shaolin tradition have nothing in their systems like the Shaolin exercises. Advertisement Stance Training Stance training is an ancient tradition of Shaolin kung fu, although modern martial artists often question its effectiveness or assert that it was only used in order to test the patience and devotion of potential students....

references International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance: "Relationship Between Blood Flow and Performance Recovery: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study" Tulane University: "Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)" Center for Integrated Health: "The Gate Control Theory of Pain " Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research: "To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)" Vibrational massage can boost your recovery and performance in and out of the gym....

Bloating and abdominal pain or discomfort are the most common side effects after a colonoscopy. Image Credit: Getty Images/LaylaBird The purpose of a colonoscopy is to identify potential medical problems in the lower digestive tract early on, so appropriate preventive measures can be taken. The procedure is generally very safe, but sometimes it can have complications and create negative health consequences. Advertisement While many side effects — such as gas pains and bloating — are mild, some do require prompt medical attention....

You lift heavy weight during bodybuilding workouts to build muscle mass. Orthopedia.com reports that the most traumatic pectoral tears occur in weight lifters or bodybuilders between ages 20 and 40 from doing eccentric pectoral contraction exercises like the bench press. According to the National Federation of Personal Trainers, starting from a stretched position and fully contracting your pectoral muscles against heavy weight increases your risk of pectoral injuries. Inflammation You may develop inflammation in the pectoralis major muscle tendon if you strain your pectorals....

Yoga isn't the ultimate calorie-burning activity, but it can make a difference. Image Credit: max-kegfire/iStock/Getty Images If you’re getting into yoga, then chances are you’re on a quest for overall fitness. You know that yoga is great for restoring you to good posture, stretching out kinked up muscles and building strength through isometric exercise. So the next logical question is, how many calories can you put in the “burned” column at the end of your yoga class?...

Greek yogurt is a great food to eat as part of a healthy diet. Image Credit: Julia_Sudnitskaya/iStock/GettyImages Weight loss at any age is possible, though it does become more difficult the older you get. Bones become less dense, muscle tissue fades and hormone changes can increase body fat. Still, regular exercise and healthy eating can combat many of the common causes for weight gain. Advertisement Spot training does not exist, according to ExRx....

Some studies have shown that regular exercise may decrease stomach ulcers. Image Credit: Aleksandr Zotov/iStock/GettyImages Exercising with a stomach ulcer may be a safe choice for some people, but for others it can aggravate symptoms or interfere with healing. If you’ve been diagnosed with a stomach ulcer, start by talking with your doctor to see what’s recommended for the type of ulcer you have. Advertisement Read more: 4 Ways to Exercise With a Stomach Ulcer and Tips to Avoid Getting Them Video of the Day What Causes Stomach Ulcers Stomach ulcers — also known as peptic ulcers — are sores on the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), explains the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)....

You can safely take simethicone (the active ingredient in gas pills) every day, but you should get to the bottom of why you need it so often. 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 Effects Alternatives Bottom Line If you're faced with excessive flatulence, popping an over-the-counter anti-gas pill is an easy way to keep a case of tummy rumbles in check....

Oysters are one of the best sources of zinc. Image Credit: Rosanna U/Image Source/Getty Images You need zinc for forming proteins and DNA and for proper immune function. Getting extra zinc in your diet isn’t likely to cause weight gain if you are already getting the recommended amount, although some studies have shown beneficial effects on weight gain in people who are zinc deficient. Getting too much zinc can have adverse effects, however, so speak with your doctor before taking supplemental zinc to make sure it would be safe for you....

Image Credit: peepo/E+/GettyImages The top of your calf is a busy anatomic site with a number of muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves occupying the area. The presence of so many structures equates to several possible causes of pain in the region. These conditions range in seriousness from harmless muscle soreness to a potentially life-threatning blood clot as well as a number of other ailments in between. Advertisement Muscle or Tendon Injury Your calf consists of two main muscles called the gastrocnemius and soleus....

Crab legs are a popular treat for seafood lovers. Image Credit: -aniaostudio-/iStock/Getty Images Fresh crabs and other shellfish are among the most perishable of all foods. They die quickly once they’ve left the water, and spoil just as quickly once they’ve died. For that reason, crabs are often cooked and blast-frozen on large shipping boats immediately after the catch, in the interest of freshness. Once frozen, crab claws or legs can be shipped around the world with minimal loss of quality....

Most lecithin supplements are derived from soybean oil. Image Credit: boonsom/iStock/GettyImages Although there are numerous claims of a relationship between lecithin and weight loss, scientific proof is sparse. To date, the best research on using lecithin for weight loss is actually on choline, which makes up 3 to 4 percent of soy lecithin. Advertisement Tip Although scientific evidence is sparse, some studies do suggest a link between lecithin and weight loss — perhaps, at least in part, due to lecithin's choline content....

Hand pressing on the part of the foot inflammed with gout. Image Credit: ThamKC/iStock/Getty Images Gout, a type of arthritis, predominately affects men and very few women after the onset of menopause. Nearly 3.4 million men have gout in the United States. With a strong association found between diet and gout flare-ups, many people with gout turn to their diet to offer a solution for painful joint swelling. Advertisement The History of Gout Formerly known as the “rich man’s disease” gout has most commonly been associated with affluence, in which people were able to afford rich, expensive foods in abundance....

People experiencing problems in their upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract may need an endoscopy, or an examination of those organs, including the esophagus, duodenum and stomach. A special diet, including suggestions about alcohol consumption, may be prescribed by your doctor before and after the procedure to eliminate any possible complications and protect the lining of your GI tract. What is Endoscopy? An upper endoscopy is an examination of the lining of the GI tract for the purpose of diagnosing, preventing or treating diseases of the stomach, pancreas, duodenum and esophagus....