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Proper plank alignment can help you perfect your standing and sitting posture, too. Image Credit: Oscar Wong/Moment/GettyImages Maintaining proper posture isn’t easy. Between sitting at your desk (or couch!) all day and constantly looking down at your smartphone, bad postural habits can sneak up on you. Sadly, bad posture doesn’t just affect your looks — it’s also a precursor to back problems and low-back pain. Advertisement "When we sit for long hours, hunched over on our computers, it places constant tension on the lower back and weakens other muscles (like glutes and hamstrings)," says Ben Pavlovich, NASM-certified personal trainer specializing in neuromuscular stretching and bodybuilding....

Saltines on a cutting board with a nutritious bite-size snack. Image Credit: ilmoro100/iStock/Getty Images Although saltine crackers are low in calories, basing your entire diet on this food is not ideal. While a diet comprised of any one food would be nutritionally deficient, a saltine cracker diet would be particularly detrimental because of the sub-par nutritional profile of these crackers, both for weight loss and general health. Consult a doctor prior to beginning any diet plan....

A homemade vanilla sauce on a table. Image Credit: Magone/iStock/Getty Images Many recipes would suffer without the taste of vanilla, but the cost of real vanilla extract may not make it an attractive option when you are trying to stretch your food dollars. Imitation vanilla flavoring is lower in cost, but it also offers a variety of advantages and disadvantages. Understanding what these are helps you make the wisest choice for you and your family....

Raw oysters on the half-shell are low in calories but may carry food-safety risks. Image Credit: Matthew Harris/500px Prime/GettyImages Oysters belong to the shellfish family, falling within the subcategory of bivalve mollusks. Their benefits include ample protein in a small, low-calorie serving, and a variety of minerals and B vitamins. The individual nutrient amounts vary according to the type of oysters you buy and whether you eat them raw or cooked....

Soba noodles, which are made from buckwheat flour, can be a good option for weight loss because they’re made up of whole grains, are low in fat and contain protein. Image Credit: OksanaKiian/iStock/GettyImages Giving up noodles or pasta during a weight loss plan is often tough for those who love carbohydrates. Fortunately, you can choose healthy options like soba noodles. Soba noodles calories are low and made up of healthy, complex carbs and protein....

One way to help lose fat is by doing cardio exercise. Image Credit: RicardoImagen/E+/GettyImages Excess fat in the upper arm sometimes causes unfortunate elbow dimples. To get rid of them, you need to burn total body fat and build your arm muscles with strength training. Advertisement Exercise for Flabby Elbows Everyone has a stubborn spot on their body where fat collects and won’t seem to budge. For many women, it’s their upper arms....

Knowing the calories burned during activity will help you achieve your weight goals Knowing the number of calories you burn during various activities and during sleep is important if you are trying to lose or maintain weight. Keeping track of calories will enable you to understand why your previous efforts may not have resulted in success. Also, it is crucial to understand the factors that affect how many calories you burn....

A woman is training with a kettle bell. Image Credit: funduck/iStock/Getty Images Not everyone wants to look like a gaunt fashion model. An exercise routine that includes toning doesn’t have to make you too thin. A well-rounded routine can help you strengthen your muscles and retain your weight, especially if you consume a healthy diet that supplies a balanced blend of important nutrients and an adequate amount of calories. Get a physical exam before beginning a new toning routine, especially if you have been inactive for a while....

Some people can't properly digest certain sugars. Image Credit: dlerick/iStock/GettyImages Bloating and gas are the worst. When it happens, you have two options: hold it and suffer, or let it all out and make others in the room suffer. There are lots of foods that can cause bloating, so sometimes, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where your painful farts are coming from. Advertisement But if you just took down two scoops of rocky road ice cream and thought, "Ugh!...

Almonds contain cyanide, but not enough to poison you. Image Credit: Anetlanda/iStock/Getty Images Almonds are rich in healthy fats, vitamin E and fiber. Although the sweet almonds you buy at the grocery store contain a small amount of cyanide, it’s not enough to poison you. However, bitter almonds are unsafe to eat and may lead to cyanide poisoning. If you suspect cyanide poisoning from almonds, go to your closest emergency room for care....

Vegetables usually aren't associated with weight gain. Image Credit: Ingram Publishing/Ingram Publishing/Getty Images Vegetables have calories, so you could theoretically gain weight if you eat large amounts of them. However, eating veggies will typically help you shed pounds rather than make you gain, as long as you stick with lower-calorie vegetables and don’t prepare them with high-calorie ingredients. In general, you should focus on eating more veggies each day – not fewer....

Close-up of a man in a public park, clutching his knee Image Credit: m-gucci/iStock/Getty Images Getting tripped up during a sporting event or simply losing your balance while strolling down a sidewalk can have painful consequences. Your knee may take the hit or twist and bend awkwardly during a fall. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that the most common knee injuries include ligament or soft tissue tears, fractures and dislocations – all of which can cause pain when bending your knee....

Choosing low-fat cheese helps cut down on saturated fat and calories. Image Credit: kasia2003/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Brie Cheddar Feta Gorgonzola Gouda Jarlsberg Mascarpone Monterey Jack Mozzarella Philly Cream Cheese Sheep Cheese Swiss Vegan Cheese Babybel Cheese Curds As a creamy cooking ingredient, grab-and-go snack or pairing with wine, cheese is a staple for many. Advertisement But it turns out most adults' dairy intake falls short of the recommended 3 cups per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans....

The mechanism behind weight loss is simple: If you eat less and move more, you’ll lose weight. In practice, however, weight loss is quite challenging. If you are struggling to lose weight, you may be looking for any and all assistance available to you, including prescription weight loss aids such as Dexedrine. Learning about weight loss and Dexedrine can help you to determine the best weight loss method for you. Always consult your physician prior to taking any medication or embarking on a weight loss plan....

thin fatigued woman rests her head on her folded arms on work desk Image Credit: John Rowley/Digital Vision/Getty Images There’s no doubt that shedding extra pounds can lower your risk for health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. However, rapid weight loss because of a too-restrictive or unbalanced diet can leave you feeling tired instead of rejuvenated. Always check with a health-care provider before starting a diet to ensure that you are getting the nutrition your body needs....

Running can help heal your lungs after you quit smoking. Image Credit: VioletaStoimenova/E+/GettyImages You’ve quit smoking. Congratulations! But now you may be asking how long it takes for your lungs to fully recover from smoking, and whether an exercise like running can help “clean” your lungs after smoking. Good news: Exercise can help heal your lungs. Advertisement The main function of the lungs is to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body from the air you inhale and expel carbon dioxide when you exhale....

Dulse seaweed is a low-calorie food that's high in iron and has some protein. Image Credit: marilyna/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Nutrition Benefits Risks Dulse is an edible seaweed. Sometimes called "sea parsley," reddish-purple dulse is available dehydrated or fresh and is usually packed in salt. After being rehydrated for 5 to 10 minutes in water or rinsed to remove excess salt, dulse can be baked, stir-fried or added to soups and salads....

The Flat Belly Diet promises to help you lose up to 15 pounds in a month, but weight loss that quick can be dangerous. Image Credit: undrey/iStock/GettyImages If you’re looking for the best weight-loss program for you, perhaps you’ve stumbled across the Flat Belly Diet during your search. The program promises weight loss of up to 15 pounds in 32 days. But then there’s the million-dollar question: Does the Flat Belly Diet work, and is it safe?...

Use Greek yogurt in dips instead of cottage cheese for healthy dips. Image Credit: ALLEKO/iStock/GettyImages Cottage cheese provides high-quality vegetarian protein, calcium and vitamin B-12, and you can consume it on its own or in a variety of recipes. Advertisement However, you might need substitutions for cottage cheese if you get tired of eating it, don't like its taste or texture or are unable to consume dairy products. Plenty of healthy substitutions are available....

Keep your hips open with stretching. Image Credit: Vesnaandjic/E+/GettyImages Exercises designed to increase flexibility of the hips and pelvis can prove valuable for people who are pregnant. Get into shape for labor by incorporating specific hip stretches into your prenatal workout routine. Advertisement Remember that the hormones released into your body during pregnancy loosen ligaments in your joints naturally. This is intended to aid childbirth, but it also leaves you more prone to injuries....