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Take advantage of all the various workout equipment at the gym with a full-body workout. Image Credit: nd3000/iStock/GettyImages If you’re looking to get fit alongside like-minded people, the gym is your place. But memberships can be expensive, so each time you hit the weight room, you want to make sure you’re making the most of your time — and money. While the specifics of a good gym workout plan may vary, two components are standard: cardio and strength training....

Take your stretch routine to the next level by incorporating a resistance band. Image Credit: Hispanolistic/E+/GettyImages If you’re like most people working out from home these days, you’ve likely invested in a set of resistance bands. And while they’re great for toning your arms and sculpting your legs, you might not have thought to incorporate them into your stretching routine. Advertisement Especially if your weekly fitness schedule is packed with resistance band strength training workouts, you should also prioritize post-workout stretching....

As of now, researchers still do not know how to use leptin to manipulate weight. Image Credit: nensuria/iStock/GettyImages There’s no doubt that certain foods have health benefits, including improving heart health, reducing inflammation and supporting your immune system. But foods aren’t a cure-all — particularly when they don’t contain the “thing” you’re looking for. And in this case, that “thing” is the hormone leptin. Advertisement So, what is leptin? It's a hormone released by our body's fat cells (adipose tissue) and it inhibits appetite, explains registered dietitian Natalie Rizzo, RD of Greenletes....

The average number of push-ups a man can do depends on his age. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages Push-ups are useful as a test of upper body strength because they are easy to learn and don’t require any equipment. You might be wondering, “How many push-ups should I be able to do?” Using Army, Navy and police academy push-up test requirements can give you a benchmark. Advertisement Understand Push-Up Anatomy You work the chest, shoulder and arm muscles when doing a push-up....

Produce from the "Clean 15" list, such as fresh pineapples, show little pesticide residue after washing. Image Credit: ClaudioVentrella/iStock/Getty Images Organic food is growing in popularity, but it is more costly and harder to find than conventionally produced food. Adding a small amount of organic produce – particularly as a substitute for conventionally-grown products with higher levels of pesticide residue – is a good idea. But a well-rounded diet of non-organic fruits, vegetables and low-fat sources of protein is an economical and healthy choice for most consumers....

Can eggs really make you stronger? Image Credit: vanbeets/iStock/GettyImages I’m nearly 4 weeks into my eggsperiment. As promised, I’ve consumed three eggs every day without fail. The process has led to many expected changes to my life. While I had hoped to eat my eggs at the same time each day, the timing of my consumption has been anything but predictable. My preference is to enjoy eggs for my first meal, but sometimes my schedule doesn’t agree, which means I down my daily quota in the late afternoon or for dinner....

Vigorous sports can tear muscles and cause a sharp pain in the thigh. Image Credit: Maridav/iStock/GettyImages Everyone deals with random aches and pains from time to time — indeed, muscle pain is a part of life. But when it comes to a sharp pain in the front of your thigh, there are several possible causes. Advertisement The pain may be due to muscle injury, nerve issues, tendon damage or in some cases, nothing at all....

Positive creatine effects may include increased muscle mass and improved athletic performance. Image Credit: Eugeniusz Dudzinski/iStock/GettyImages You can get creatine naturally from several high-protein foods, but many athletes also seek out creatine supplements. Positive creatine effects may include increased muscle mass and improved athletic performance. But could you also be among those who are susceptible to a creatine headache? Advertisement Are Creatine Benefits Worth it? According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), creatine exists naturally in our bodies....

A woman rides a bicycle through a park. Image Credit: strixcode/iStock/Getty Images It’s rare to talk about therapy for your knees without discussing the low-impact benefits of cycling and elliptical workouts. Both are forms of exercise for knee injuries because keeping your knees mobile and strong can minimize further damage. Knee damage varies drastically and therefore understanding the differences between cycling and elliptical can help you and your doctor determine the best approach....

Dips can help you build bigger arms. Image Credit: Paul Burns/Blend Images/Getty Images Anytime triceps are integrated with rigorous resistance exercises, muscle mass is strengthened and amplified. Triceps dips represent such an exercise for those wanting to build bulky upper-arm muscles. No expensive equipment is necessary to perform the exercise, since all you need is a sturdy chair, bench or small platform. Triceps dips can be done at home anytime you feel the need to engage your triceps and upper body in an effective, compound exercise....

Garlic capsules on a white counter with a head of garlic and a scallion. Image Credit: Eugene Bochkarev/Hemera/Getty Images Garlic is known to have an odor whether you’re chopping it, cooking with it or just taking a whiff of it. The smell of garlic can linger on porous surfaces, clothing, your body and your breath. Unpleasant body odor and bad breath can cause embarrassment and make you not want to be around others....

Some cheeses, like Gorgonzola, is supposed to have mold, but don't cook with cheeses that are abnormally moldy. Image Credit: victoriya89/iStock/GettyImages It can be so tempting to just cut mold off cheese and continue as planned, but it’s not always safe. It’s frustrating to notice spots of fuzzy mold on some cheese you didn’t buy very long ago — tossing it feels like a waste of money and delicious food....

The enzymes in fruit can't be &ampquot;killed&ampquot; by freezing. Image Credit: icetocker/iStock/Getty Images There are many common misconceptions regarding the enzymes in your food – whether they’re useful to you and what affects them. In very simple terms, freezing doesn’t kill enzymes in food for two reasons. First, they’re not alive, so they can’t be killed. Second, freezing doesn’t permanently affect enzyme structure. Advertisement Enzymes Enzymes aren’t living things, meaning that no matter what you do to them, you can’t kill them....

Following a specific diet plan doesn't mean you can't enjoy pumpkin season. Try one of these healthy pumpkin bread recipes, whether you're vegan, gluten-free or low-carb. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages A can of pureed pumpkin and a few baking staples are all you need to mix up a sweet and spicy loaf of pumpkin bread. Advertisement Most recipes typically rely on butter, flour, sugar, vegetable oil and eggs, much of which doesn't fit into specific diet plans, including keto, paleo or gluten-free....

cup of herbal tea on coaster Image Credit: ULTRA F/Photodisc/Getty Images Your pancreas gland is an essential member of the digestive and endocrine systems and is situated just behind the stomach and in front of your spinal column. One of its primary functions is to produce insulin and glucagon, hormones that control blood sugar levels. The pancreas also creates digestive enzymes without which the intestines are unable to process food. Diseases of the pancreas include pancreatic cancer, diabetes and pancreatitis, according to the National Pancreas Foundation....

A middle-aged man exercises on an elliptical machine. Image Credit: Jari Hindström/iStock/Getty Images High blood pressure medicine and exercise are both used to treat hypertension and are frequently prescribed together. Most people taking high blood pressure medication can safely exercise; in fact, this is usually recommended. However, all medications pose some risk of side effects and blood pressure medicine is no exception. If you are on medication for high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program, because certain side effects like fatigue or dizziness may impact the types of exercise you are able to do....

Talk to your doctor about what's causing your anemia and how best to address it. Image Credit: FatCamera/E+/GettyImages You might not think much about getting enough iron, or maybe you’ve been lax about taking iron supplements or eating foods high in iron. However, without iron for healthy red blood cells, you may not only develop anemia but also be at risk for low blood pressure and heart failure. Advertisement Read more: Iron Deficiency & Anemia in Men Video of the Day Anemia and Heart Failure Anemia happens when your body doesn’t produce enough healthy red blood cells, which are tasked with providing oxygen to the tissues in your body, the Mayo Clinic points out....

It takes about 3 to 6 months to see results. Image Credit: Hello Lovely/DigitalVision/GettyImages How long does it take to build muscle? Is it one month, five months or longer? Muscle growth, or hypertrophy, depends on a multitude of factors, including the age when you start working out, as well as workout frequency, duration and training techniques. Advertisement Tip How fast you'll make gains depends on several factors, including your fitness level, training volume, workout duration and more....

Aim to jog for at least 150 minutes each week to maintain physical fitness. Image Credit: Ales_Utovko/iStock/GettyImages Jogging, or running at a slow to moderate pace, is an enjoyable way to achieve physical fitness while enjoying the outdoors. It is an excellent form of cardio that can help you to manage your weight. How long a jog should last depends on your exercise goals and your current physical condition. In general, the more time you spend jogging, the greater the benefits you will reap....

To avoid withdrawal from quitting caffeine, cut back gradually. Image Credit: Abdulrhman Al Shidokhi/500px Prime/GettyImages If you’ve decided to cut out coffee from your daily routine, most experts recommend you don’t do it cold turkey. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system to make you feel more alert, so when you first stop using it, you may experience caffeine withdrawal fatigue along with other symptoms. Advertisement Tip To avoid withdrawal from quitting caffeine, cut back gradually....