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Swim your way to a defined middle. Image Credit: Ibrakovic/iStock/Getty Images Swimming helped Olympians such as Dara Torres, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps develop enviable defined abs — and you might wonder how you can use your time in the pool to achieve such a physique. Advertisement Although these swimmers cover dozens of miles in the water weekly, their dry-land training also contributes to a svelte six-pack abs. Combine intense swimming drills with core workouts to develop your own gold-medal body....

Camel pose is a great exercise for scoliosis. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine that typically develops early, when adolescents are growing quickly. In fact, you might remember being screened for this condition when the school nurse had you bend forward while she looked at your spine. A scoliosis workout can help correct this issue. Advertisement The underlying cause of most cases of scoliosis is unknown, or idiopathic, as explained in a 2015 article published by Scoliosis....

A man is helping a woman with dumbbell curls. Image Credit: dolgachov/iStock/Getty Images Biceps workouts often involve holding heavy dumbbells or barbells or lifting heavy weights on a cable exercise machine. Although these exercises can be very effective for toning and building the upper arm muscles, they can be somewhat dangerous for the wrists. If you have bad wrists – whether from an injury or medical condition – adopt a biceps workout routine using exercises that are slightly easier on the wrists....

Bicycle crunches are fantastic for your abs — but not if you do them incorrectly. Image Credit: dusanpetkovic/iStock/GettyImages When done correctly, bicycle crunches are an absolute ab-scorcher, since they fire up your obliques ​and​ six-pack muscles. In fact, the American Council on Exercise ranks bicycle crunches in their top three ab exercises. Advertisement But this movement requires more attention to detail than you might think. And if your form isn't on point, you won't get the most out of this awesome ab exercise....

The size of your biceps is relative to your body size. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages Biceps are the muscles on the front of your upper arm — they are considered the “show” muscles. If asked to flex your muscles, you are likely to intuitively flex your biceps. No standards exist in the fitness world for how big your biceps should be. Having “big” biceps is relative to your body frame size and overall musculature....

Cardamom Cardamom is a spice mostly used in foods. However, several eastern cultures also use cardamom in teas. Cardamom has an extremely strong scent that typically overwhelms other spices. This strong scent comes from the oils present in the spice's seeds. The purported health benefits of cardamom come from these oils which include terpinine, borneol, eucalyptol, camphor and limonene. Cardamom tea is typically made by crushing the seeds and boiling them in water to release the oils....

Glasses of sangria on a cutting board with fresh fruit. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images A combination of red wine, fruit juice and fresh fruit, traditional sangria has certain health benefits, as well as a couple of nutritional drawbacks. Of course, the occasional glass of sangria isn’t likely to have an impact on your health either way, but it’s wise to get all the facts, by using a tool like a calorie counter, before making it your alcoholic beverage of choice....

Protein is important before surgery to help recovery. Image Credit: Anntua/iStock/GettyImages When you’re about to have surgery, your diet may be the furthest thing from your mind. But what you eat before your procedure may help you recover faster. The best things to eat before surgery should be foods filled with all the nutrients that support healing and fight off infection. Advertisement Presurgery Nutrition Matters It’s estimated that as many as 50 percent of hospitalized patients are malnourished, according to the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS)....

Community care can be practiced in your individual relationships and with strangers. Image Credit: FG Trade/iStock/GettyImages In This Article What It Is History Examples Health Benefits The concept of self-care has radical roots, but its history is often lost in today's messaging that equates consumerism to caring for yourself. What's also missing from mainstream conversation is how community care — not just self-care — is key to collective wellbeing. But what is community care, exactly?...

Rice, vegetables and oil are part of the Bahamian Diet food plan. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages When you’re trying to find a diet you can maintain for health or weight loss, you may run across the Bahamian Diet. Created by comedian and activist Dick Gregory in the 1980s as a response to his own health issues, the diet and complementary supplement may help you reach your wellness goals. Advertisement Part of the diet includes using a powdered meal replacement drink once marketed as the Formula 4X....

A healthy meal of lean protein and vegetables. Image Credit: Angela Ollison/Moment/Getty Images Weight loss requires hard work – no matter of how quickly you try to lose the weight. A weight loss of 25 pounds in eight weeks is exceptionally aggressive and requires extreme dedication and effort. Even if you can safely create the calorie deficit necessary to lose a little more than 3 pounds per week, consider that you’re setting yourself up for unsustainable deprivation and quick regain of any lost weight....

Lentils are a member of the legume family, and with their small, delicate shape and nutty flavor, they are a versatile bean. Image Credit: sveta_zarzamora/iStock/GettyImages Lentils are a member of the legume family, and with their small, delicate shape and nutty flavor, they are a versatile bean. You can use lentils in soups, salads or as part of a side dish, adding flavor with lentil seasoning. Advertisement Often sold dried, lentils are soaked in water before getting cooked....

Gradually increase the pace as your body becomes more efficient at handling the demands of physical activity. Image Credit: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Caiaimage/GettyImages If you want your tendons and ligaments to stay healthy, try adding ligament strengthening foods to your diet. Several types of fish, hearty vegetables and delicious fruits make good choices. Bone broth has also been shown to improve joint health. Advertisement Tendons: Essential Body Component Chances are, you haven’t given much thought to your body’s moving parts....

Train for an 8K run with friends for extra motivation. Image Credit: Getty Images/Svetikd You may have competed in 8K races if you were on your school’s cross-country team, but in general, 8Ks appear far less frequently than 5Ks or 10Ks on racing calendars. Advertisement But if you have the opportunity to run an 8K, you should seriously consider it. Though it may be uncommon, the distance represents an achievable feat even for newer runners, says Tim Bradley, a running coach and director of training for the Chicago Area Runners Association....

Fresh whipped cream will keep for a few days in the fridge. Image Credit: RyanJLane/E+/GettyImages Want to take your desserts up a notch the next time you have dinner guests? Instead of buying store-bought whipped cream, try making your own whipped cream recipe with milk. Advertisement By following a few easy steps, you can make delicious whipped cream with milk and sugar, without all the preservatives and other additives that can be found in many pre-made varieties....

Lose weight without starving yourself or exercising excessively. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images To lose weight, you have to reduce your calorie intake and undertake regular exercise. However, calorie reduction should not consist of starving yourself and depriving your body of energy and valuable nutrients. Exercise should not be excessive, but tailored to burn calories and increase your metabolism to help ensure weight loss is successful and permanent. Advertisement Starvation Breakfast Image Credit: OlgaMiltsova/iStock/Getty Images Your body needs energy and nutrients from food to function optimally and to power your daily activities....

Goal-related measurements are better than muscle soreness for evaluating the effectiveness of your workout. Image Credit: Cecilie_Arcurs/E+/GettyImages “If I’m not sore, am I still building muscle?” If you’ve ever wondered this, it may be time to review your exercise plans and your method of evaluating your workouts. Advertisement Muscle soreness after a workout relates to the amount of stress you place on your body during exercise. Although the common "no pain, no gain" mindset holds some importance to progression, muscle soreness is not the sole indicator of an effective workout....

Black coffee doesn't make you lose weight, but it's a good choice when weight loss is your goal. Image Credit: yipengge/iStock/GettyImages Coffee drinkers who are trying to lose weight might wonder if that cup of java fits within their goals. While coffee and weight loss might not be directly related, the beverage can have both exercise and fat-burning benefits — as long as you’re drinking it the right way. Advertisement Here's a look at the ways coffee can be good for losing weight and the mistakes that might hurt your weight-loss efforts....

Grape juice is healthy but not iron-rich. Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/GettyImages Children and women of childbearing age don’t get enough iron in their diets, according to the National Institutes of Health. Grape juice isn’t on any iron-rich foods lists, but it does offer other health benefits and may improve the amount of iron your body absorbs from certain types of food. Advertisement Tip Grape juice isn't high in iron. However, many brands of grape juice are fortified with vitamin C, which improves absorption of nonheme iron, which is the type of iron found in plant-based foods....

references Celiac Disease Foundation: "Sources of Gluten" Cleveland Clinic: "Soy Foods" FDA: "Gluten and Food Labeling" GFCO: "About Us" Although tofu is naturally gluten-free, tofu dishes may not be safe to eat on a GF diet. Image Credit: DronG/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: DronG/iStock/GettyImages This scramble is high in protein but free of animal foods. Image Credit: Jenna Butler/LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: Jenna Butler/LIVESTRONG.com ​Get the Veggie Tofu Scramble recipe and nutrition info here....