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Stability ball push ups work your upper chest. Image Credit: nd3000/iStock/GettyImages All push-up variations strengthen your chest says Harvard Health Publishing, but certain ones can really put extra emphasis on the upper portion so you build pecs that pop. Drive resistance toward the front your shoulders and the clavicular region of your chest with a decline, which can be achieved with a workout bench, step or ball. Advertisement Tip All push-ups work the chest....

Dieter's teas typically include senna, an herbal laxative that can temporarily cause you to shed water weight Image Credit: feyyazalacam/iStock/GettyImages Whether you’ve seen it promoted by a social media influencer or at your local vitamin and supplement shop, chances are good that you’ve come across weight-loss tea and wondered what it is, exactly — and whether it can indeed help you shed pounds. Advertisement The short answer: Like just about any other product that promises rapid weight loss, these "skinny" teas aren't the magic bullet they're advertised to be....

Getting enough sleep aids recovery and improves muscle growth results. Image Credit: Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/GettyImages If you recently started a weightlifting program, you’re probably pretty eager to see signs that your body is building muscle. Patience, young grasshopper. Each time you lift, your muscles go through a recovery period that makes them bigger and stronger. However, this doesn’t start right away, and how long it lasts depends on a few factors....

Dried banana chips in a bowl. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images More than two-thirds of adults fall short of eating the recommended two fruit servings daily, according to registered dietitian Cynthia Sass. With a stat like that, eating any type of dried fruit would be an improvement – but there are some types that can be healthier than others, depending on the nutrients you’re seeking. Advertisement No Sugar Added The healthiest dried fruits contain no added sugars or sweeteners....

Woman measuring waist Image Credit: Creative-Family/iStock/Getty Images Exercise burns calories – so why does your waistline expand after working out? Exercising also causes hunger and bulks up muscles. Your abdominal muscles are no exception to this rule. Do not stop exercising. Instead, learn how to moderate your eating habits. Eventually, you will burn more calories, have a leaner physique and a narrower waistline. Advertisement Portion Control Weight gain is not normal in the early stages of an exercise program....

Drinking water increases calorie burn. To lose 7 lbs. in 20 days, you need to create a total calorie deficit of 24,500 calories, as it takes 3,500 calories to burn 1 lb. of body fat. To achieve this in the desired time frame, it is necessary to burn 1,225 calories a day more than you consume. A calorie deficit can be achieved by eating less than your daily energy requirement, or by exercising to burn more calories; the Prevent Disease website recommends using a combination of both....

Having a disability doesn’t mean you cannot lose weight. While a disability may limit some types of physical activity you can do, there are still a number of ways you can lose weight. Talk to your doctor before starting a diet or exercise program. This is especially important if you have heart problems, diabetes or other medical conditions that can be seriously affected by a change in diet or activity levels....

Cooking chicken may darken the bones. Image Credit: pr2is/iStock/Getty Images Sometimes the bones, and even the meat near the bones, can darken when you cook young chickens. This is normal and doesn’t pose a health threat, according to an article written by food and nutrition specialist Julie Garden-Robinson and published on the North Dakota State University website in 2005. Despite the dark bones, the meat may still look pink even if you cook it completely....

With slight modifications, a Weber kettle-style charcoal grill can double as a meat and fish smoker. Smoking fish preserves it and gives it a distinct flavor. Proper preparation of both the fish and grill helps ensure safely smoked fish for appetizers, brunch or dinner. Experiment with a variety of seasonings, types of fish and smoking woods to vary the flavor and come up with a smoked fish creation all your own....

Make sure to store your strawberries in the refrigerator to help keep them fresh. When strawberries are in season, it's hard to resist taking home a pint of red, juicy fruit to eat immediately. But what's the best way to store cut strawberries? Advertisement Washed and sliced strawberries should be stored, covered, in the fridge and it's best to use them as soon as possible to avoid spoilage. Video of the Day The Best Way to Store Cut Strawberries Strawberries should be stored in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (ideally 32 degrees F) and the optimal humidity for berry storage should stay between 90 to 95 percent, per Colorado State University....

Spanish rice is often served with Mexican food. Image Credit: Paul_Brighton/iStock/Getty Images Spanish rice, sometimes called Mexican rice, is a dish made with long grain white rice, onions, green peppers and a form of tomatoes, such as tomato sauce, tomato paste or canned tomatoes. Some recipes call for garlic and celery; saffron, chili powder or cumin is often added as seasoning. The vegetables and rice create a low-fat, low-calorie dish that delivers vitamins and minerals....

Levothyroxine is one of the most commonly prescribed thyroid medications, used to replace or supplement the hormones a healthy thyroid naturally produces. Caffeine is a widely available substance found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate. Like many other drugs and medications, caffeine interferes with your body’s ability to take up levothyroxine. You can still eat and drink foods containing caffeine as long as you precisely follow your physician’s instructions for levothyroxine dosing and avoid taking caffeine at the same time....

Yogurt Image Credit: g-stockstudio/iStock/Getty Images During pregnancy, your body requires potassium to function at its best. An essential mineral, potassium helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. It also plays a significant role in the transmission of nerve impulses, contraction of your muscles and release of energy from carbohydrates, fat and protein. Along with sodium, potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure. Low potassium during pregnancy can cause serious adverse effects. Advertisement Symptoms of Low Potassium Potassium shortage in pregnancy can cause fatigue, muscle cramps, abnormal heart rhythms, constipation and weakness....

If your treadmill controls aren't working, make sure it's plugged in to a working outlet. Image Credit: Evgeniia Medvedeva/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Console Screen Incline Other Common Issues NordicTrack treadmills are built to last, but it's best to be prepared in case something malfunctions. There are many reasons why your treadmill won't start. Fortunately, many glitches involving the controls on the console can be solved relatively quickly with some simple NordicTrack treadmill troubleshooting steps....

Here's how to measure your pulse and heart rate after exercise. Image Credit: Marco VDM/E+/GettyImages People say that exercise gets your blood pumping — but what exactly does that mean? Certain vital signs, like your pulse and blood pressure, indicate how your heart is functioning and offer clues for exercising safely and effectively. But, they’re two very distinct measurements. Advertisement Using Your Heart to Evaluate Exercise For adults, the latest physical activity guidelines, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week....

While certain types of protein can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, in general, protein powder does not cause constipation. Image Credit: ArishaRay/iStock/GettyImages If you’re spending more time in the bathroom, with minimal action, you might be wondering if your morning shake is resulting in protein powder constipation. While certain types of protein can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, in general, protein powder does not cause constipation. Advertisement What is Protein Powder? Protein powder is a nutritional supplement many people add to their diet....

Lifting heavy weight temporarily raises blood pressure. Image Credit: South_agency/E+/GettyImages Bodybuilders that train with heavy loads, several times a week, put a lot of stress on their body. One concern that sometimes comes up with this type of routine is how bodybuilding affects blood pressure, especially if you already have questions about weight lifting and hypertension. Advertisement Weight Lifting and Hypertension It might seem counterintuitive that something as beneficial as weight lifting could make any health conditions worse....

Dried ginger and slices of fresh ginger on a tea towel. Image Credit: woyzzeck/iStock/Getty Images The underground rhizome ginger has been used for thousands of years in various Eastern medical traditions. Best known for quelling nausea and vomiting, it also has strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular treatment for conditions like arthritis. You can eat the actual plant or use supplements, commonly made from the dried root. While the Food and Drug Administration lists ginger as a food and supplement generally recognized as safe, ginger does carry the potential for some negative effects....

While konjac is healthy, its soluble fiber has water-absorbing qualities, which means it can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Image Credit: bonchan/iStock/GettyImages Konjac, also known as “konnyaku,” “moyu” or “elephant foot yam,” is a tuberous root vegetable. This vegetable is extremely rich in dietary fiber. While konjac is healthy, its soluble fiber has water-absorbing qualities, which means it can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Advertisement Read more: 7 Signs Your Gut Is Out of Whack Video of the Day Konjac Nutrition Facts Whole konjac tubers are primarily carbohydrates and contain virtually no fat....

Mediterranean foods on a platter. Image Credit: kabVisio/iStock/Getty Images An Ancient Greek warrior race, the Spartans are one of history’s most fearsome fighting forces. Their legend was secured through the tale of the 300 Spartans who took on the Persian Empire, killing millions and almost winning. When a film was made to chronicle these exploits, the actors had to look lean but muscular, like they were wild and living off the land, so they were given barely enough calories to recover from excessive training....