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In this case, push-ups don't deserve the bad rap. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Spot reduction. Gauging the amount of calories you burn by how much you sweat. Trying to get a flat tummy with sit-ups alone. The fitness world is full of myths and misconceptions, and the idea that doing push-ups can stunt your growth is one of those tall tales. Advertisement Like most myths, this one has some pretty interesting real-life origins, and is a little more multilayered than it seems at first glance — so before you dismiss push-ups, make sure you don't stunt your research....

Creatine supplements may help improve muscle growth. Image Credit: CobraCZ/iStock/Getty Images Creatine doesn’t contain any special powers that’ll help you slim down to a supermodel size. Instead of relying on supplements, focus your weight loss efforts on eating less and moving more. If you’ve added strength-training to your weight-loss plan, creatine may help you add muscle, which can give your metabolism an extra boost. Before embarking on your weight-loss journey or starting a creatine supplement, talk to your doctor about what might work best for you....

When you lose a lot of weight, your shoe size may change. Image Credit: PixelsEffect/E+/GettyImages When you’re dieting, you may think of your hips, waist and thighs shrinking, but your feet may get smaller when you lose weight too. Depending on how much weight you shed, you may need to invest in smaller shoes along with new clothes. Advertisement Losing weight can also affect your feet in other ways. Read on for the details on how weight loss might change your shoe size and foot health....

A top sirloin may be your best bet for adding iron to your diet, as beef have more iron than turkey. Image Credit: Vladimir Mironov/iStock/GettyImages You may know that turkey, especially white meat, is a better choice for people whose primary concern is cutting saturated fat and cholesterol. But if your doctor suggests you get more iron in your diet, “beefing up” your diet may be a smart choice. Advertisement Related Reading 20 Tasty Foods High in Iron You’ll Love Overall Winner The U....

A half a cup of peas is equal to one starch exchange. Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/Getty Images The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association developed the diabetic exchange diet to help manage weight and blood sugar for the diabetic. The diet divides foods into groups based on similarities in calorie and carbohydrate contents. Food items within each group can be exchanged for one another. The 1,800-calorie diabetic diet is appropriate for active women and men with diabetes....

A bowl of yogurt. Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/Getty Images For quality and freshness, it’s better to eat yogurt by the use-by date, according to Stonyfield Yogurt. There are a number of reports that say it’s OK to eat expired yogurt, but if you’re not careful, you risk foodborne illness eating yogurt past its prime. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect food poisoning after eating expired yogurt. Advertisement About Expiration Dates Expiration dates on food packages started in the 1970s as a means for food manufacturers to indicate peak freshness, according to a 2013 article in Time....

Raw flax may increase your blood cyanide level. Image Credit: al62/iStock/Getty Images Flax meal is a dietary supplement that contains both fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Raw flax, however, may also contain an unwanted ingredient: cyanide. While most flaxseed supplements are safe, taking flax the wrong way can increase your blood cyanide levels. Learning what to watch for and talking to your doctor before taking flax can help keep you safe....

A balanced diet, rich in particular foods, may help manage OCD symptoms. OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, is anxiety characterized by unreasonable fears and thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors, such as repeatedly checking whether you locked the front door or washing your hands. Although these rituals provide temporary relief, intense anxiety soon sets in, leading to a vicious cycle. With effective treatment, people with OCD can live full, successful lives, according to the National Institute of Mental Health....

Kimchi is packed with health benefits. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages A spicy food in traditional Korean cuisine, kimchi is no longer just a condiment or side dish to a Korean meal. This spicy fermented napa cabbage is now frequently included in salads, sandwiches, stir-fries and soups. Rich in vitamins A and C, the strong flavor of kimchi is distinctive and is now widely available at Asian grocery stores, health food stores and some high-end supermarkets....

Remembering to store eggs in the body of your fridge and cheese in the dairy drawer can help extend your grocery haul's shelf life. Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/GettyImages Food Where to Store How Long They Keep Fresh Blueberries Crisper drawer in original packaging 5 to 7 days Cabbage and cauliflower Crisper drawer 7 days Leafy greens Crisper drawer 5 days Eggs Original carton in the main body of the fridge Raw in-shell, 2 to 4 weeks; hard-boiled, 7 days Yogurt Original container 1 month Cheese Dairy drawer Soft cheeses, 1 to 2 weeks; hard cheeses, 1 month Root vegetables Refrigerator door 2 weeks Cucumbers Crisper drawer 7 days Nuts Fridge 6 months Lettuce greens Crisper drawer 7 days...

You don't need a fancy gym machine — just a chair and dumbbells. Image Credit: Adobe Stock/andrii kobryn Target the four muscles on the front of the thigh, known as the quadriceps, with the leg extension exercise. The quads are mainly responsible for extending, or straightening, the knee. Advertisement The leg extension, a single-joint exercise, typically requires a leg extension machine; however, if you don't have access to one, you can use free weights to replicate the exercise at home....

Lunges help improve the appearance of your thighs. Everyone seems to gain weight in different places: some pack on the pounds in the arms, stomach or even butt while others may find that their thighs are getting thicker. Although you can't spot reduce one area on your body, you can use weight loss methods to reduce your overall body fat. As you begin to lose weight your thighs will start to slim down....

A KCAL is equal to one calorie. Image Credit: annick vanderschelden photography/Moment/GettyImages When discussing the nutrition of a food item, it’s common to refer to the number of Calories first. You may see Calories with the label “kcal” and wonder exactly how many Calories are equivalent to 1 kcal. The answer is simpler than you might imagine. Advertisement Tip One kilocalorie, or kcal, is equivalent to 1 Calorie. Calories Equivalent to 1 Kcal According to HyperPhysics of Georgia State University, the dietary Calorie (with a capital C) is equivalent to a kilocalorie, which is equivalent to 1,000 calories....

It isn't difficult to build muscles over the age of 30. Image Credit: Justin Lambert/DigitalVision/GettyImages After age 30, your lean body mass begins to decrease at a more rapid pace than it did in your 20s, so it’s a great time to take action to slow those losses. Building muscle mass after 30 isn’t hard, but it does take finding the right strength-training program and being consistent with it. Advertisement Building Muscle Mass After 30 One of the many changes that come with getting older is a loss of muscle mass....

Ham steak is a thick cut of ham, with or without part of the bone. Image Credit: Serjio74/iStock/Getty Images A bone-in ham steak is a thick cut of ham, resembling a piece of steak from a cow. It is an easier and faster way to enjoy the taste of ham, without having to slow-cook a whole ham. A ham steak can be cooked numerous ways for different flavor dimensions. It is high in sodium since it is cured, like a whole ham, but goes well with fruit, mustard, honey, brown sugar, mashed potatoes or vegetables....

A serving of champignon mushrooms sauteed in butter on a wooden table. Image Credit: Iryna Melnyk/iStock/Getty Images Mushrooms sauteed in butter transform from bland and rubbery to soft with a subtle, nutty flavor in a matter of minutes. Use this basic technique to soften mushrooms for cream of mushroom soup or to top a sizzling hot steak, using mushroom varieties such as white mushrooms, portabellas or chanterelles. Sliced or minced mushrooms brown are easy to brown evenly, but you can also cook small, whole mushrooms with this method....

The T-bone is known for its characteristic “T” shape because of the vertebrae and the large eye muscle. Image Credit: The Picture Pantry/Alloy/GettyImages What’s the best way to cook T-bone steak? Some will say the oven, and others will say the frying pan. Either way, you’ll have a tasty steak, so can you really go wrong? Advertisement What Is a T-Bone Steak? According to the University of Nebraska, the T-bone is known for its characteristic “T” shape because of the vertebrae and the large eye muscle....

A ratcheting phillips head screwdriver sits on a white counter. Image Credit: Zoonar/P.Malyshev/Zoonar/Getty Images The Bowflex Classic machine is one type of home gym supplied by the Bowflex company. It uses what is called a power rod system – rather than weight plates – to provide resistance for your strength-training workouts. Power rods are tall, plastic bars of various thickness, that bend and flex as you exercise. The Bowflex classic also offers a rowing station for cardiovascular exercise....

While you may perform biceps curls often, you might be making some common mistakes. Image Credit: twinsterphoto/iStock/GettyImages Whether you’re doing biceps curls for functional fitness or just to look good in sleeveless shirts, you might want to take a second to re-evaluate your form. Because they seem so straightforward, they’re commonly done incorrectly. And with so many variations, you might not even realize you’re making a mistake. Advertisement While the specific variation or grip you do depends on your preferences and goals, there is a right and wrong way to perform this classic weight-lifting exercise....

Focus on intense workouts to help burn fat. Image Credit: MoMo Productions/Stone/GettyImages Tired of doing countless leg exercises to get rid of back thigh fat? Unfortunately, it’s not possible to lose fat from specific areas of your body. The only way to slim down your legs is to get leaner overall through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Advertisement Tip Doing lots of hamstring curls and other single-joint exercises is unlikely to reduce back thigh fat....