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Modify a toe-touch stretch by holding your calves or thighs. Image Credit: Hiraman/iStock/GettyImages Regular exercise is key for reducing the health risks of obesity, and stretching is often the first step toward a healthier workout routine. If you’re obese, however, the stress placed on your joints by your weight can make some stretches painful and even dangerous. You don’t have to give up on physical fitness though. Instead, the key is to start with easy stretches and gradually progress to more challenging stretches and workouts....

1 of 8 Overview When it comes to low-impact, high-benefit workouts, you can't do much better than tai chi. The Chinese martial art emphasizes intentional, fluid motions for maximum mind-body benefits. And while tai chi's accessibility makes it popular among an older crowd, anyone can benefit from adding the practice to their workout routine. “Tai chi offers physical and mental benefits for athletes and non-athletes alike,” says Peter Wayne, Ph....

references Footwear Science: "Daily activity in minimal footwear increases foot strength" European Journal of Sport Science: "Longer-term effects of minimalist shoes on running performance, strength and bone density: A 20-week follow-up study" The American Journal of Sports Medicine: "Influence of the Heel-to-Toe Drop of Standard Cushioned Running Shoes on Injury Risk in Leisure-Time Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial With 6-Month Follow-up" Scientific Reports: "Daily activity in minimal footwear increases foot strength" The best minimalist running shoes factor in are comfortable, light and have the right toe-box size and terrain-specific features for your needs....

Take your regular workout outside once in a while to reap the benefits of being in nature. Image Credit: Ridofranz/iStock/GettyImages Scientists believe that the great outdoors has a positive effect on a person’s mental state and physical health, with many studies suggesting a link between time spent in nature and reduced stress, improved concentration, faster recovery time and even a stronger immune system. Advertisement So just how long should we be spending outside to feel the benefits?...

Swimming is one of many exercises that can be beneficial to people with sciatica. Image Credit: taniche/iStock/GettyImages Sciatica is a term often mistaken for as a medical condition. However, sciatica is a symptom of an underlying disorder that results from compression of the sciatic nerve, which originates in your spine and runs down the backs of your legs into your feet. Advertisement Water exercises to help sciatica nerve pain may provide some relief and strengthen the muscles surrounding your spine....

The amount of calories in penne alla vodka depend on the preparation and serving size. Image Credit: ALLEKO/iStock/GettyImages Penne alla vodka consists of penne topped with Parmesan cheese and a tomato-based sauce containing crushed red pepper, cream and vodka. As with any pasta dish, a large part of controlling the number of calories you consume is watching your serving size. Advertisement This dish will be easier to fit into a healthy diet if you replace the high-calorie vodka and cream with lower-calorie alternatives or use them in smaller amounts....

Chocolate has a rich flavor but lacks nutritional benefits. Image Credit: Charlotte Allen/iStock/Getty Images Although chocolate’s sweet, pleasant taste may put a smile on your face, there are some disadvantages associated with eating this rich food. While you can eat any food in moderation, chocolate provides few nutritional benefits and has several nutritional disadvantages that may make it a poor choice for your diet. Nutritional properties may vary between brands, so check product labels when available....

Fermented foods like miso affect the microorganisms living in your gut, which play a role in mental health and mood. Image Credit: Yuuji/iStock/GettyImages Our health can be influenced by thousands of different factors, from our diet to our environment to our relationships. But when it comes to our mood and our mental health, research has shown that one system more than almost any other plays an important role: the microbiome....

Glycerin helps keep fondant from cracking. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Vegetable glycerin is used in some recipes to help maintain moisture, keep water and oil-based ingredients mixed together or add sweetness. It’s usually used in relatively small amounts but still makes a difference in the outcome of the recipe, so it’s best to substitute something else for the vegetable glycerin rather than simply skipping it if you can’t find it in your local stores....

Romaine lettuce has 17 calories per serving. Image Credit: wmaster890/iStock/GettyImages If you eat salads or enjoy lettuce on your sandwiches, chances are you have enjoyed the healthy crunch of romaine lettuce. The type of lettuce that you choose for your salads or other recipes is important. Different types of lettuce have varying degrees of nutritional value. If you prefer romaine lettuce, you should understand the caloric content and health benefits of this vegetable....

If running makes you breathless, try warming up properly, practicing deep-breathing techniques and slowing your pace. Image Credit: RUNSTUDIO/Photodisc/GettyImages A certain amount of shortness of breath on exertion is normal, especially when you’re engaging in a sport as demanding as running. Increased activity leads to faster breathing, which brings oxygen into the body to help lower building levels of carbon dioxide in the body during exercise. Once a normal level of carbon dioxide is reached, breathing usually returns to normal....

Taking certain pain medications with food can help minimize stomach problems. Oxycodone is a type of prescription pain reliever that belongs to the narcotic group of analgesics. Like other types of pain medication, oxycodone can cause stomach irritation and nausea in some individuals. Taking this medication with certain kinds of food, while avoiding other types of food, may help prevent digestive discomfort. Tell your doctor about any side effects that you experience, such as stomach discomfort, when taking prescription medications....

Doctor doing range of motion exercises with patient's shoulder. ROM exercises, or range of motion exercises, are designed to assist you in recovering or increasing a full range of motion in bending joints such as shoulders, knees, and elbows. For those who suffer a joint injury, undergo surgery, or experience pain in relation to movement, ROM exercises can help to decrease pain, strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint, and enable you to work out or do daily tasks with minimal discomfort....

Proper push-up form helps to relieve stress on the joints and prevent pain. Image Credit: Alexander Medvedev/iStock/GettyImages Trying to improve your strength at home? The push-up is one full-body move that requires no exercise equipment or pricey gym membership. Plus, the move can be modified or progressed, making it accessible for people of all fitness levels. Advertisement But if you're performing your push-ups with faulty form, the push-up can go from being your favorite move to a pain-inducing exercise....

A salad may cause digestive problems depending on what's in it. Image Credit: undefined undefined/iStock/GettyImages You might reach for salad as a healthy meal or side, but it may cause digestive problems depending on what’s in it. Raw vegetables and fruits are foods that can cause bloating and gas thanks to certain compounds and bacteria, and they could be why you may have a bad stomachache after eating salad. Advertisement ​Read more:​ The 9 Worst Foods for Bloating Video of the Day Fiber Gets You Going Fiber is a carbohydrate that can’t be digested by the body when eaten, according to Harvard T....

Frozen lasagna is an easy meal that you can whip out of out your freezer whenever the need arises. Image Credit: tbralnina/iStock/GettyImages Frozen lasagna is an easy meal that you can whip out of out your freezer whenever the need arises. While most lasagna brands list instructions for how to defrost the lasagna, these tips and food safety recommendations should come in handy nonetheless. Advertisement Read more: How to Cook Stouffer's Frozen Lasagna Video of the Day Reheating Frozen Lasagna Most people don’t realize that there are some dangers to defrosting and reheating frozen food; the U....

You'll want to experiment with the amount of mashed banana you substitute for butter. Image Credit: photographer and designer/Moment/GettyImages Although some people say that butter makes everything better, it also adds 1,600 calories and 177 grams of fat for every cup. Fats like butter are typically used to add tenderness and moisture to breads, muffins, cakes cookies and other baked goods. Advertisement You can easily lighten up some of your recipes by substituting all (or most) of the butter in your recipe with mashed bananas....

Spider veins are most common in the legs and thighs, but can develop in the feet, ankles or anywhere in the body. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are fine, dark-looking veins that develop in clusters like a spider's web on the surface of your skin. It is important to reduce spider veins before they develop into varicose veins. Spider veins are the most common in women after their childbearing years. The Cleveland Clinic estimates up to 60 percent of the adult population has spider veins....

Woman's feet walking on treadmill Image Credit: YanLev/iStock/Getty Images Walking can lead to aches and a burning sensation, especially when walking for long distances. These uncomfortable side effects can make walking, be it for exercise or leisure, an unpleasant activity. The causes for foot aches and inflammation are varied, so you must correctly identify what spurs these symptoms to properly treat your feet. In most cases, foot aches and burning are not a serious health problem, but speak to your doctor if you experience them on a regular basis....

Eating fruit instead of sugary desserts can improve your health. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages With its various bright hues and sweet and sour flavors, fresh fruit is like nature’s candy. If you’re watching your weight or just trying to eat healthier, eating fruit after a meal instead of sugary desserts can save you calories and up your nutrient intake for the day. Advertisement Tip Eating fruit after a meal isn't bad for you....