Posts

Measuring a person's waist circumference is one way to diagnose obesity, and it can also factor into body fat percentage. Image Credit: FredFroese/iStock/GettyImages Obesity is more prevalent than ever in the United States. In fact according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40 percent of Americans are obese. Advertisement We know that obesity is linked to serious health risks, including heart disease, stroke, pregnancy complications, osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases....

If you notice you are losing weight — particularly without trying — you might have an underlying medical condition. Image Credit: Blend Images/John Fedele/Tetra images/GettyImages Have you asked yourself, “Why am I losing weight?” or recently noticed your clothes getting looser or the number on your weight scale falling? Has your weight decreased despite your diet and activity level being the same? If so, then there may be a serious medical cause for your weight loss....

Light-headedness after lunch can make it difficult to get your work done. Image Credit: Kiwis/iStock/GettyImages A nutritious lunch should make you feel energized and ready to tackle the rest of your day. Feeling light-headed or dizzy after a meal can bring your productivity to a halt, and the root cause is worth discovering. Advertisement Two common causes of light-headedness after eating are postprandial hypotension, or low blood pressure, and hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar....

You love yoga, and you want your baby to love it, too. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages Yoga helps adults gain a better mastery of how their bodies move, and babies are no different. After being crunched up in a safe, secure womb for nine months, the space and possibility of movement in the outside world can be overwhelming. Yoga to the rescue! Advertisement Gaining spatial sense provides your baby with confidence. Being assisted through simple yoga poses with a caring guide builds social skills and relationships....

Glass jar of yogurt surrounded by blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. Image Credit: genious2000de/iStock/Getty Images The basic concept of weight loss — whether belly fat or total body fat — is that you have to create a calorie deficit to shift your body from fat-storing to fat-burning. To do this, you need to lower your calorie intake below your calorie needs. The foods you choose to eat play major roles, not only for their per-serving calorie counts, but also for the way they affect your appetite and satiety....

Bicycle crunches add variety to your ab routine. Image Credit: Adobe Stock/Syda Productions Good news: Bicycle crunches are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your ab muscles. Bad news: They aren’t very helpful if your primary goal is weight loss. Bicycle crunches don’t work off fat, even from your belly, because they burn very few calories. Advertisement They can be part of a routine to create a toned midsection once you've dropped fat, but you're better off following a comprehensive fitness program that includes cardio and total-body strength training, along with a calorie-controlled, balanced diet to lose weight....

You can cook pasta ahead of time and reheat it for a meal. Pre-cooking pasta allows you to do the bulk of preparation before a dinner party. When party time rolls around, you only need to reheat the pasta with a quick plunge into boiling water. Restaurants use this technique to get pasta entrees to the table faster. Pre-cooking also works well to shorten the cooking time for noodle casseroles, such as lasagna....

Crystal Light is a zero-calorie flavored drink with no sugar, but it has other ingredients you may want to avoid. Image Credit: nitrub/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Ingredients and Nutrition Weight Loss Possible Side Effects Health Conditions and Diets Alternatives Crystal Light is a brand of beverages that come in a variety of flavors. The drinks have low or no calories and contain zero sugar and fat. Advertisement While it may save you from added sugar, Crystal Light doesn't contain important nutrients....

Certain muscles are the primary muscles involved in certain key body movements. The human body is made up of hundreds of muscles that must work together to allow for body movements. Although many of the body's muscles are small, and work in accordance with other muscles for proper movement, there are large muscles, within the body, that are primarily responsible for certain body movements. These major muscles are considered prime movers because they are the primary muscles involved in the activation of many of the major joints within the body....

The NordicTrack CX 990 is a discontinued elliptical model. It originally was introduced in 2003. The CX 990 is designed for in-home use only. It is significantly heavier than newer NordicTrack elliptical machines. Oddly, the CX 990 also has a lower maximum user capacity. Because of the weight of the CX 990, you may want to consider a different elliptical if you are using it upstairs. Identification The CX 990 is a rear drive elliptical machine with an 18-inch stride....

Testing your blood glucose randomly will allow you to evaluate your risk of developing diabetes. Your blood glucose levels are dynamic. Blood sugar levels change depending on your diet or the time of day they are tested. There are specific ranges your doctor may use to determine if you are healthy or at risk for developing diabetes. Advertisement Fasting Blood Glucose A fasting blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in your blood after an eight-hour period without any food or beverage, other than water....

Nutritional Drinks for Seniors Image Credit: Liz Gregg/Digital Vision/Getty Images Nutritional drinks may help fill nutrition gaps in your diet. Seniors require a nutrient-dense diet – one rich in protein, vitamins D, B12 and calcium. For those unable to meet their nutrient needs, dietary supplements, in the form of fortified beverages are an option. These protein-rich drinks come in many flavors and varieties to suit specific health needs; however, real, whole foods should always be the first option....

Oatmeal contributes to calorie control at dinner time. Image Credit: NataBene/iStock/GettyImages Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast. You can eat oatmeal for dinner or any time of day and enjoy the high-fiber, high-protein benefits of this nutritious grain. It can also be part of a weight loss strategy. Advertisement Tip Oatmeal contains tryptophan, which is beneficial in helping you sleep. Oatmeal is not only high in fiber, it has protein, so enjoy a bowl of oatmeal at night....

Puffed rice has some carbs, some calories, some nutrients and very little fat. Image Credit: Nicodape/iStock/Getty Images There are healthy snacks and unhealthy snacks, and then there are snacks that are in between. Puffed rice has some carbs, some calories, some nutrients and very little fat, so it can be a somewhat healthy snack to munch on as long as it doesn’t have a lot of unhealthy additives. Advertisement A staple in India and other Asian cuisines, puffed rice, or "mumra" as is it is also known, is made of rice kernels that have had air introduced to them to make them larger, lighter and crispier....

Quinoa is low in fat and a rich source of fiber and minerals. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative In This Article Quinoa Nutrition Facts Quinoa vs. Rice vs. Other Grains Health Benefits of Quinoa Quinoa Health Risks How to Cook Quinoa Alternatives to Quinoa Crunchy-yet-nutty quinoa hails from South America and has been quickly making a cameo on Americans' plates, and rightfully so. It is a wheat-free and gluten-free option that's chock-full of protein and many other body-benefitting nutrients....

Add nutritious cherries to your menu in new ways, from a delectable sloppy joe to chicken salad. Image Credit: Brian Macdonald/Photodisc/GettyImages Cherries are not just for pies and ice cream sundae garnishes — and they just happen to be one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits around. Advertisement "Increasing your intake of colorful fruits and veggies — especially those rich in colors like cherries that are known to be packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals — can combat naturally-occurring oxidative stress that can trigger chronic diseases," says Rachel Fine, RD and owner of To The Pointe Nutrition in New York City....

Increase your running mileage and intensity by no more than 10 percent each week to avoid soleus injury. Image Credit: serezniy/iStock/GettyImages Many people don’t know that the calf muscle actually consists of two muscles. One is the large bulging muscle that becomes more noticeable when you stand on your toes; that’s the gastrocnemius. The other, called the soleus, is the smaller muscle that lies below the gastrocnemius. It’s harder to see on most people, and you might not even know it’s there, unless you’re a runner....

Stevia is an alternative sweetener that comes from natural sources, while Splenda is artificially produced. Image Credit: Luis Echeverri Urrea/iStock/GettyImages Stevia and Splenda are two alternative sweeteners that couldn’t be more different. Stevia is a natural alternative sweetener, sourced from a plant with the same name. Splenda is a branded product and artificially produced sweetener made from sucralose and maltodextrin. Splenda and most other artificial sweeteners are generally thought to be bad for your health if consumed often, while stevia and other natural, alternative sweeteners have well-known health benefits....

High-volume squats may increase testosterone levels. Image Credit: matthiasdrobeck/iStock/Getty Images The barbell squat is known as the king of all exercises. It is a challenging exercise that works all your lower body muscles and makes you stronger; according to strength coach Jim Smith writing for Schwarzenegger.com, squats induce muscle growth all over your body. Squats are also credited for increasing testosterone levels. However, to get this hormonal boost, you need to perform the exercise at the appropriate intensity....

references Shelly Leibowitz, president and head trainer at Shelly's School for Dogs Cathy Alinovi, a veterinarian in Pine Village, IN Melissa Bacelar, founder of the rescue organization, the Poopie Foundation 1 of 21 Overview If you want a workout partner who's in great shape, has lots of energy and is always in a good mood, look no further than your four-legged friend. "Most dogs can run with you," says Shelly Leibowitz, president and head trainer at Shelly's School for Dogs in Freehold, NJ....