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People on exercise bikes. Image Credit: DGLimages/iStock/Getty Images Using a recumbent bike burns calories, allowing you to lose weight all over your body, including your stomach. While spot reduction is a myth, using a combination of cardiovascular exercise, such as a recumbent bike, and abdominal strengthening exercises will help firm and flatten your stomach muscles. Advertisement Burn the Calories Riding a recumbent bike is an effective, calorie-burning aerobic exercise. Set a course on your recumbent bike that includes several hills to burn more calories while working out....

Talk to your doctor about the results of your blood glucose tests to see if you're in a normal blood sugar range for women. Image Credit: FatCamera/E+/GettyImages In This Article What Is Glucose? Normal Blood Sugar Levels for Women What Factors Affect It? Symptoms of Irregular Blood Sugar Levels If you're at risk for diabetes, you may be wondering what a normal blood sugar range for women is. The answer to that question can vary, however, from test to test....

Research indicates women who strength-train have less belly fat. Excess belly fat can prove problematic in many ways. It appears to pose greater threats to your health compared with fat elsewhere and can affect self-esteem. While it can strike both sexes at any age, hormonal changes and a steadily decreasing metabolism can make it more likely to appear as you reach your 30s and beyond. The basic tenets of reducing fat apply to everyone regardless of age, but as you get older, your body becomes less forgiving of unhealthy habits, and you simply need to work harder than you might have had to when you were younger....

Man running stairs for exercise. Pushups, bench presses, pullovers and dumbbell flys all work the pectoral muscles of the chest. To think that these exercises will melt away your chest fat is an illusion known as spot reduction. Although they will work your muscles and give you a generous lift in resting metabolism, you still need to do cardio. This repetitive form of exercise burns fat throughout your whole body. Running is a form of cardio that can be done in an intense fashion to boost your progress....

Although glutathione isn't found in food, you can fill up on whey protein, Brazil nuts, beef, eggs and other products containing the amino acids that make up this compound. Image Credit: Aamulya/iStock/GettyImages Glutathione isn’t something you hear about a lot in everyday conversations, but maybe it should be. This tripeptide is made from three different amino acids — cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid. Advertisement Tip From making small changes to your diet to getting more shuteye, there are a couple of things you can do to boost your glutathione levels....

Certain cuts of beef are tougher than others because of the muscle and connective tissue. Image Credit: VvoeVale/iStock/GettyImages Certain cuts of beef are tougher than others because of the muscle and connective tissue. High temperature and overcooking can cause any cut of beef to become tough because heat can cause the muscle fibers to contract. When the meat becomes too tough, you need to know how to tenderize cooked meat....

Talk to your doctor about taking vitamin C supplements. Although vitamin C may be used in some circles as a folk remedy for menstrual problems, its ties to heavy bleeding during menstruation are unclear. Most people get enough vitamin C from the foods they eat and don't need supplementation; however, your doctor may encourage you to take supplements in certain cases. Having your physician diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your heavy bleeding is the most effective remedy....

There are different variables you should consider when trying to lose weight. Image Credit: from_my_point_of_view/iStock/GettyImages Losing weight is a worthy goal. If you’re a 245-pound woman or man, there are a few variables to consider when you’re calculating your daily food intake. Advertisement Tip If you're a 40-year-old woman who is 5-foot, 5-inches tall and weigh 245 pounds, this Mayo Clinic calculator suggests you should consume about 2,000 calories a day if you get a little light activity, and 1,850 pounds if you get no activity....

Iced coffee and other caffeinated beverages may inhibit your absorption of iron. Image Credit: TongSur/iStock/GettyImages If you drink a couple of cups of coffee each day, you’re unlikely to experience adverse health effects from the caffeine. However, if you consume an excess amount of coffee, tea, cocoa or cola, especially if you have a poor diet, intestinal disorders, a chronic medical condition, drink excessive alcohol or are pregnant, the caffeine you consume could put you at risk for an iron deficiency....

Canned peaches in glass bowl Image Credit: olgakr/iStock/Getty Images When you’re trying to get your five-a-day, popping open a can of peaches or pears can seem like a quick way to include more fruit in your diet. While it doesn’t have the visual or textural appeal of fresh fruit, canned fruit can be a healthy option as long as you pay attention to what, exactly, is in the can. Advertisement Getting Needed Nutrients Canned fruits can be a good source of vitamins and minerals, but check the nutrition label to determine exactly what nutrients you’re getting....

Plain milk is gluten-free and safe to drink. Image Credit: Prostock-Studio/iStock/GettyImages With almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk and coconut milk on the scene, you may not even remember what dairy milk tastes like. Advertisement But for those who continue to rely on it for their coffee and cereal, know that plain cow's milk is usually free of gluten and safe to drink on a gluten-free diet. However, before you add flavored milks to your fridge, make sure to read the label and verify it's gluten-free....

Tilapia is a popular fish that's a source of lean protein, but it has a pretty fishy backstory. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. In This Article What Is Tilapia? Why Does Tilapia Get a Bad Rap? Tilapia's Bad Farming Practices Health Benefits of Tilapia How to Buy Quality Tilapia Tilapia has a fishy reputation....

Close-up of raw asparagus bunch on tabletop. Image Credit: ehaurylik/iStock/Getty Images Like vitamins, minerals help your body grow and stay healthy. Your body needs minerals to perform different functions, from building healthy bones to transmitting electrical impulses along nerves. In fact, some minerals help maintain a normal heart beat and make hormones. Since minerals are an essential part of a healthy diet, it is important to learn which foods are good sources of these nutrients....

Dried apricots are filled with potassium and magnesium. Image Credit: TanyaSid/iStock/GettyImages Magnesium, potassium and calcium are three important electrolyte minerals needed by every cell in your body. Although they’re widespread in a healthy diet, if your meals consist of processed ingredients, you might not be getting enough foods high in magnesium and potassium, or even calcium. Advertisement Here's an overview of what these minerals do for your body and where to get them in your diet....

Yogurt is an important part of Dr. Ian Smith's 4 Day Diet. Image Credit: samael334/iStock/GettyImages The 4 Day Diet is a book published in 2009 by Dr. Ian Smith. This diet focuses on eating in phases, each allowing different foods so that individuals can lose weight without getting bored. Advertisement Ian Smith Diet Dr. Ian Smith is a high-profile medical doctor who has worked as a medical expert for VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club and as a contributor to the television show Rachael Ray....

Adding additional strength work to your routine can improve your swimming power. Image Credit: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images Swimming requires both muscular strength and endurance. While endurance is the ability of the muscles to perform repeated submaximal contractions over time, strength is the amount of force that your muscles are able to produce. In swimming, muscular strength dictates how much force your muscles are able to apply to the water, which in turn propels your body forward....

Everyone needs a different amount of calories. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages In order to lose weight, your body needs to be operating at a calorie deficit. This means that there’s no specific minimum amount of net calories to lose weight. Everyone needs a different amount based on caloric intake and how much energy they’ve been expending. Advertisement Caloric Needs and Weight Loss The concept of a set minimum amount of net calories to lose weight is a myth....

If you're taking Propecia, weight lifting and hoping to bulk up your guns, there's a chance you may have heard word around the schoolyard that the drug can have an effect on your muscle mass. Image Credit: Eternity in an Instant/The Image Bank/GettyImages If you’re taking Propecia, weight lifting and hoping to bulk up your guns, there’s a chance you may have heard word around the schoolyard that the drug can have an effect on your muscle mass....

Magnesium may help to increase bone density. Image Credit: vitanovski/iStock/Getty Images Magnesium, an essential mineral for many different systems in the body, is particularly important for nerves and muscles, explains Drugs.com. According to the University of Maryland, symptoms of magnesium deficiency include anxiety, sleep disorders, low blood pressure, muscle spasms and abnormal heart rhythms. Magnesium may be helpful for a number of health conditions, but it can have possible side effects or interactions with medications, so a doctor should always be consulted before taking a supplement....

A pre-workout powder or a pre-workout drink offers many health benefits. People often use these products for performance enhancement and greater energy. However, taking some pre-workout supplements can have dangerous consequences. Learning the best ways to reach your goals will help you stay safe while you improve your health. Read more: 5 Best Pre-Workout Supplements and 4 to Avoid Advertisement Video of the Day Set Your Goals Dietary aids exist for almost every health goal....