Yoga is a good choice for post half marathon exercise. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages You just ran 13.1 miles — what are you going to do next? The answer: recover. The recovery period after a half marathon is just as important as the preparation, and the week following the big race can be extremely important to your overall health. With ample amounts of rest, proper hydration and light exercise, you should achieve a smooth recovery....
If you have swimmer's ear, natural home remedies can help ease the pain before you can get an appointment for medical evaluation and a prescription. Image Credit: Victor_69/iStock/GettyImages In This Article White Vinegar Irrigation Warm Compress Ibuprofen Avoid: Analgesic Ear Drops Avoid: Garlic Ear Drops Avoid: Hydrogen Peroxide Ear Infection vs. Swimmer's Ear The Fastest Cure Will It Go Away by Itself? Swimmer's ear is a term used to describe an infection of the soft tissues of the ear canal....
Find your best pair of black workout leggings with these picks. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com How We Chose Our Picks We make deliberate choices about the language we use when it comes to gender. While more brands now carry gender-neutral workout clothes, you’ll still typically see clothing brands market their products to men or women. The main difference between most women’s and men’s clothing is the fit: Men’s versions tend to be longer in length and roomier, and women’s versions tend to be shorter in length and tighter....
If you want to shake up your usual strength routine, all you need is a plate. Image Credit: Halfpoint Images/Moment/GettyImages While you’ve likely seen people bench pressing or deadlifting with a weighted barbell at the gym, you don’t necessarily need to wait until a bench or squat rack frees up to get a good workout. In fact, depending on your goals, you may only need one thing: a weight plate....
There are many different sit up exercises. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages Sit-ups are a classic ab exercise, however, in order to break up the monotony of thousands of sit-ups, this at-home workout is designed as a fast-paced circuit. Sit-ups have gotten a bad rap because they tend to be hard on your back, says Harvard Health Publishing. But the exercises chosen are easier on the lower back and they target all of the abdominal muscles....
Research suggests that black pepper may play a role in lowering blood pressure Image Credit: Eivaisla/iStock/GettyImages Looking for ways to keep your blood pressure in check? Unlike salt, sprinkling a touch of black pepper on your next meal may do more than enhance its flavor — it may also help lower your blood pressure numbers. Advertisement Read more: Always Pair Turmeric With This One Spice to Reap the Most Benefits Video of the Day Often called the silent killer because it doesn't cause any symptoms, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, reports the American Heart Association (AHA)....
Eating chocolate every day is OK, so long as you choose a variety high in cacao and low in added sugar. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative What Really Happens to Your Body When examines the head-to-toe effects of common behaviors, actions and habits in your everyday life. In This Article Energy Heart Health Brain Health Cholesterol Weight Gain Stomach Issues Mood Kidney Stones Migraines Skin Does the thought of chocolate bring a smile to your face?...
Overtraining syndrome is common if you work out too much. Image Credit: anilakkus/iStock/GettyImages If you are putting in too many hours at the gym or training too hard for sports, your body may begin to respond negatively. Overtraining syndrome is a common condition among athletes and fitness enthusiasts, one that can manifest itself through a variety of symptoms, both physical and psychological. Advertisement Discuss your fitness regimen and over exercising symptoms with your doctor and coach or personal trainer, who can provide professional diagnosis and treatment advice....
All you need for this quick do-anywhere workout is a single kettlebell. Image Credit: Georgijevic/E+/GettyImages You’ve probably done your fair share of traditional body-weight ab exercises, but to really get the results you’re after, you might need to add a weighted tool to the mix. And the best solution when you need equipment to fire up your abs is none other than the kettlebell. Advertisement Kettlebells are holistic tools and my favorite to use in the gym and at home....
The health benefits of boxing stretch far beyond the ring. Image Credit: adamkaz/E+/GettyImages Boxing isn’t just for hard-core athletes duking it out in a ring (although, how badass is that?). The sport has seen a boom in recent years as it’s been adapted for the fitness world, and it’s now the workout of choice for many regular exercisers looking to spice up their routines. Advertisement Of course, boxing itself isn't actually new....
Serum folate levels can be determined by a blood test. The terms folate and folic acid are sometimes used interchangeably. Folate is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin. Common dietary sources of folate include cereals, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, legumes and organ meat. Certain medical conditions and other factors may cause you to have an increase in serum -- or blood -- folate levels. Advertisement Pernicious Anemia Pernicious anemia may cause high serum folate levels, due to impaired utilization of folate....
When building lean, toned muscles, you’ll want to consume a diet that’s well-balanced in protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Image Credit: Anntua/iStock/GettyImages You’ve set up your aerobic and weight training routine, so you can reach your goal of toning your muscles. But when looking to hone lean body mass, your diet can be just as important as your exercise routine, so focus on these muscle toning foods to help you get the results you want....
A woman using a smartphone to time her pulse after a work-out. Image Credit: michaelpuche/iStock/Getty Images The easiest way to figure your maximum heart rate is to subtract your age from 220. Once you know this number, you can determine a good heart rate for your next exercise session. Advertisement Moderate-Intensity Zone Use heart rate to evaluate whether you are working at an adequate intensity during aerobic activity. For a moderate-intensity workout, aim for a heart rate that is between 50 and 70 percent of your maximum heart rate....
Dry champagne is a low-fat alcoholic beverage. Image Credit: Michelle Arnold / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages All alcoholic beverages contain calories, and if you eat and drink more calories than your body uses, you will gain weight. To limit this effect, choose the least fattening alcoholic drinks, and try to compensate for them by eating healthier foods or fewer snacks. Advertisement Remember to drink in moderation. Even if you choose the least fattening alcoholic drink, each additional drink adds more calories, slows your metabolism and stresses your liver, according to the American Council on Exercise....
The vertical jump uses muscles in your legs, like your quads, hamstrings and glutes. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages In This Article What Is a Vertical Jump? Muscles Used Types How to Increase Your Jump Safety There are several sports that require participants to spend a lot of time airborne. Physical activities such as basketball, volleyball, high jump and gymnastics test your athleticism and ability to propel yourself upward, which is why knowing the jumping muscles used is so critical for success....
A green salad with a creamy salad dressing. Image Credit: SageElyse/iStock/Getty Images Pregnancy can be a confusing time because you must rethink all of your old habits. From your workout routine to your diet, everything is changing. You can keep enjoying that healthy salad for lunch or with your dinner, but you may have to change some of your choices for salad dressings. Advertisement Low-Fat Dressings When you are pregnant, each calorie should contain nutritional value that will help you and your baby....
Eggs serve as a healthy source of fat and protein for any low-carb plan. Image Credit: Twenty20/@saritawalsh Low-carb diets restrict carbohydrate consumption in favor of fat. However, not all low-carb diets are the same. It’s possible to choose between a diet that’s low-carb and high-protein versus a low-carb diet that is more traditional, like the low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet. Advertisement Tip Low-carb, high-fat and low-carb, high-protein diets have similar benefits. If you intend to follow any of these diets for a while, choose the one that gives you the most flexibility and allows you to consume a varied, healthy diet....
references Mayo Clinic: "Acne" Cleveland Clinic: "Cystic Acne" American Academy of Dermatology: "How to Treat Deep, Painful Pimples" Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. Pimples hurt, but popping them will only make the pain worse. Image Credit: Sarah McEwan/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: Sarah McEwan/iStock/GettyImages How Bad Is It Really to Squeeze Out Blackheads?...
Cream is much higher in calories than milk. Image Credit: Tulinov/iStock/Getty Images To gain weight, you need to increase the number of calories you consume. Eating or drinking more of high-calorie foods and beverages, such as heavy cream, is one potential way to do this. However, the pros and cons in using heavy cream for weight gain should be taken into consideration before increasing your intake of this food. Advertisement Calories in Heavy Cream It’s typically recommended that people who’re trying to gain weight add about 500 calories to their diet each day to gain weight at a rate of about 1 pound per week....
Rebuilding arm strength requires a methodical approach. Image Credit: Bojan656/iStock/Getty Images While any injury can be debilitating, arm injuries can prevent the completion of even basic tasks. Healing can take extensive time and effort to complete just to return to basic competency. Once healed, muscle atrophy in the injured arm presents a number of challenges. To rebuild your arm strength following an injury, there are several elements to consider. The most important factor to consider is taking care to avoid re-aggravating the initial injury....
