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You burn fat while working out. Image Credit: bernardbodo/iStock/GettyImages When your cells run low on glucose during a workout, they pull fat from cells and break it down into usable energy. This results in fat loss; however, if you consume more calories than you burn, the excess energy will be converted to fat and redeposited in the fat cells. Advertisement Tip Certain hormones signal fat cells to release fatty acids when your cells need an additional energy source....

Greek yogurt is a tasty source of calcium and protein — plus, it's low in lactose. Image Credit: wilatlak villette/Moment/GettyImages Think of Greek yogurt as the thicker, creamier version of your regular yogurt. Advertisement Part of what makes Greek yogurt different than regular yogurt is that it is strained to remove the whey. When whey is removed, so is water, which creates a denser, more substantial product. Video of the Day There are plenty of benefits to eating Greek yogurt....

Micro exercise breaks throughout the day can spark some energy when you're feeling sluggish without a major time commitment. Image Credit: Nattakorn Maneerat/iStock/GettyImages Next time that 2 p.m. slump hits, instead of reaching for a fifth cup of coffee, try getting up and moving. Yes, it takes a bit more motivation and effort than pushing the button on your coffee machine, but it’s a proven way to help you gear up for the second half of your day....

Some ligament injuries may respond well to diet and nutritional interventions. A torn ligament can be a debilitating injury that keeps you from enjoying your favorite activities for several weeks or months. Recovering from a torn ligament requires patience and diligence to properly support your healing tissue while avoiding further damage. Your diet and nutrition play an important part in ensuring a successful recovery. Advertisement Fruits and Vegetables Add plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants, to your diet to heal a ligament injury....

An allergy to canola oil is uncommon. Canola oil is a healthy alternative to using vegetable oil because of its low impact on cholesterol, but if you're allergic to it, you will experience undesirable symptoms. An allergy to canola oil is considered uncommon but can cause minor to severe symptoms. If you notice that every time you consume food products made with canola oil you develop an adverse reaction, you need to talk with your physician....

While machines and free weights have pros and cons, using both ensures you get the best of both worlds. Image Credit: FG Trade/E+/GettyImages In This Article Cable Machine Benefits Cable Machine Downsides Cable Machine Exercises Free Weight Benefits Free Weight Downsides Free Weight Exercises The Bottom Line Cable machines and free weights are popular strength training tools. When you walk into the gym, you may feel overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options you have to include in your workout....

Make sure to have proper form when using the leg extensions. Image Credit: bulatovic/iStock/GettyImages You may use the leg extension machine to achieve definition in your upper thigh. After all, this exercise is one of the few options when it comes to isolating your quads. Advertisement The machine is likely familiar: You sit in the padded seat and hook the tops of your feet under a movable lever. Then you extend your knees against resistance and bend them back down to perform one repetition....

Arthritis often causes intense ongoing pain in the joints of the hands. Image Credit: desk006/iStock/Getty Images Banana isn’t necessarily the best food for arthritis, but it may help relieve aches and swelling. This delicious fruit abounds in antioxidants that fight inflammation. It also contains large doses of potassium, which may further help relieve joint pain and improve bone health. Advertisement Can Diet Relieve Arthritis Symptoms? Arthritis statistics show more than 54 million Americans have some form of arthritis, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....

Squats help burn body fat by the mere fact that hundreds of muscles are working. Image Credit: gradyreese/E+/GettyImages From a functional standpoint, squats are one of the best exercises you can include in your workout program. This isn’t just about your legs (even though squats are a great way to build stronger quads, hamstrings and glutes). Squatting is a fundamental pattern that’s basic to human movement, according to the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)....

The ingredients a cocktail is made with can have a significant effect on its number of calories — and may add up quickly. Image Credit: LanaStock/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Margaritas Vodka and Mixers Caesar Cocktail Cosmopolitan Dirty Martini Mojito Hurricane Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog Whiskey and Coke When you're ordering at a bar or restaurant, it's helpful to know about the calories in mixed drinks that catch your eye. Because drinks feature many different types of alcohol and mixers, the calories a standard drink contains can vary widely — and some may even put you over your sugar limit for the day....

Dead Butt Syndrome Exercises Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages When your gluteus medius, one of the three major muscles in your buttocks, fails to fire, your butt feels like it’s dead. Good news: A dead butt isn’t irreversible. Advertisement Desk job junkies and those with long driving commutes often develop dead butt syndrome, which is officially known as gluteus medius tendinosis, but so can gym rats and runners who fail to engage their glutes when exercising....

Protein shakes can help you get bigger. Image Credit: Lecic/iStock/GettyImages Don’t believe the hype about protein shake benefits. Getting enough protein is key, but gaining muscle mass is mostly about genetics, your training plan and overall nutrition. Protein shakes for muscle gain are convenient, and they may be helpful in some situations, but most people don’t need them. Advertisement Tip You'll get big only if your genetics, training program and overall diet are conducive to gaining mass....

High in beneficial fats, vitamins and minerals, peanuts can provide energy for weightlifting. Image Credit: Nenov/Moment Open/Getty Images A typical bodybuilding diet is calculated to promote increased muscle mass and strength; proteins, carbohydrates and fats are carefully balanced, while processed and fried foods are kept to a minimum. When eaten in moderation, dry roasted peanuts can be used to supplement a bodybuilding diet. A convenient snack, peanuts can help soothe your hunger pangs as well as contribute needed protein and beneficial fats....

Make your steps count — literally and figuratively — by avoiding these fitness tracker mistakes. Image Credit: Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages When it comes to logging your daily health progress on a fitness tracker, every step counts — unless it’s not counted. If you suspect your fitness band isn’t giving you accurate readings, ‌you‌ might be to blame. Before you toss your tracker in the trash, make sure you’re using it correctly....

Get ready for the New Year the Gunnar Peterson way. Image Credit: Gunnar Peterson Even the most health-conscious of us slip out of our regular workout and nutrition habits over the holidays. The good news is that Hollywood’s top trainer, Gunnar Peterson, says it’s not the end of the world — in fact, he thinks it’s good to divert from your routine, and may even benefit you in the new year....

Holy basil may help with blood sugar in people with diabetes, but more research is needed. Image Credit: Faozun/iStock/GettyImages To manage diabetes, you’re probably already monitoring your diet and blood sugar. You may also be wondering whether you should take supplements like holy basil, an herbal medicine that has been used for thousands of years in India. Could holy basil for the treatment of diabetes be a good idea? Advertisement ​Read more:​ Warnings for Holy Basil Video of the Day Holy Basil and Diabetes According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is no reliable evidence that herbal supplements can treat or control diabetes....

Consuming cashews can lower your risk of heart disease. Image Credit: Fydorov/iStock/GettyImages Searching for a healthy grab-and-go snack that’s healthy and filling? Cashews to the rescue!Although cashews are commonly thought of as nuts, technically they’re seeds from the pear-shaped fruit that’s produced by cashew trees. Knowing how nutritious and versatile cashews are, it comes as no surprise that they’re one of the most widely consumed nuts in the world. Advertisement Tip Consuming cashews can lower your risk of heart disease and are good for you in other ways as well....

A woman is taking a bite of an apple. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Diet can have a massive impact on athletic performance. Inadequate calories and nutrients can impair even the most conditioned athlete, while the right balance of energy and macronutrients will help every athlete perform their best. Dietary needs will vary based on an individual’s age, gender, body type and sport. Talk with your physician, dietitian or coach to determine your unique nutritional requirements....

Pork belly is the cut used to make bacon. Image Credit: casanisaphoto/iStock/GettyImages Before bacon is cured, smoked, sliced and packaged, it starts out as a thick cut of pork belly. A piece of pork belly is composed of layers of fat and meat that cook down into a rich and flavorful protein, particularly when braised. Advertisement Many restaurant menus offer this decadent entree as pork belly is high in fat, particularly saturated fat, and calories....

The number of calories you burn while painting the walls depends on many different factors. Image Credit: Ryan McVay/Stockbyte/Getty Images Any activity that elevates the heart rate will burn calories. Calories burned painting furniture or walls won’t exceed what you work off in traditional forms of exercise, but this challenging physical movement can play a role in keeping you healthy. So, next time your house needs a makeover, DIY. Advertisement Tip The number of calories you burn depends on your weight....