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You may have some mobility issues if you can't straighten your arms over your head. Image Credit: FilippoBacci/E+/GettyImages Do you feel a twinge in your shoulders when you’re brushing your hair? Maybe your back overarches when you try to grab a book from a high shelf? The task may seem simple but straightening your arms over your head can be more difficult than you might imagine. Advertisement The connection point between your arms and body, your shoulders have the potential to move in all planes of motion, according to the American Council on Exercise....

Completely eliminating fat from your diet can actually lead to health problems. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages For decades, eating a low-fat diet was the recommended way to lose weight and improve heart health, according to the National Institutes of Health. The idea was to reduce saturated fats, not eliminate fat from the diet altogether. Eating no fat can negatively affect your health. Advertisement Tip Eliminating fat from your diet altogether causes health problems and can lead to weight gain....

A fractured foot can take you out of the game for weeks at a time. Since the bone is fractured, it needs to fuse back together during the healing process for you to gain full mobility once again. It can seem like a long process, especially if you’re anxious to start exercising again. Unfortunately, exercising before you’re fully healed could aggravate your injury. Heed your doctor’s warnings and begin modified, careful exercise only when your symptoms subside....

You'll need a lot of core strength to stabilize weights during squats. Image Credit: Peathegee Inc/Tetra images/GettyImages The squat is one of the most fundamental movement patterns. It’s hard to imagine getting through a single day without doing at least a few squats. Sitting down on a chair, getting into your car and even sitting on the toilet are all movements involving squats. Advertisement In addition to being such a common movement for most people, squats are also an important and beneficial leg exercise used by bodybuilders, weightlifters and other athletes and exercisers looking to develop high levels of fitness, strength and performance....

Exercise and eating healthy will help to lose extra tummy weight. Image Credit: PhotoAlto/Alix Minde/PhotoAlto Agency RF/Getty Images No one certain method can help you spot reduce and lose weight just from your stomach. To lose excess tummy weight, you’ll need to lose ounces all over. However, you can take some steps to help make it easier to lose this weight and decrease stomach fat. Advertisement Calories and Weight Loss You need to eliminate about 500 calories per day from your diet to lose about 1 pound per week....

Think that post-drinking run is doing your body good? Think again. Image Credit: Maridav/iStock/GettyImages One tequila, two tequila, three tequila … gym? “Sweat it out” is a common phrase we hear from those trying to mask a massive hangover or detox toxins after a heavy meal. But is that the right prescription for your body? Advertisement The opinions and research vary. According to an August 2016 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, physical activity can help offset some cancer and cardiovascular mortality risk associated with alcohol consumption....

When considering the best way to condition your body for running, evaluate your current performance and challenges. Image Credit: m-imagephotography/iStock/GettyImages Improving your lung capacity can increase the distance and speed you are able to run. Lung training for running may include aerobic exercise, breathing exercises and stretches to improve posture. High-altitude training and the use of hypoxic training masks are other tactics. Advertisement Tip When considering the best way to condition your body for running, evaluate your current performance and challenges....

Eating a vegetarian diet doesn't have to be boring and can even help you lose weight! Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages There are plenty of reasons to try the vegetarian diet, including reduced animal cruelty, helping the environment and of course, losing weight. But a vegetarian diet isn’t always a guaranteed way to drop pounds. Advertisement You might very well eat processed chips, cereal, energy bars and pasta as the bulk of your diet and still be heavier than someone following an omnivorous diet consisting of lean meats and leafy greens....

By making your own almond milk, you'll avoid preservatives and added sugar found in most common brands. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Almond milk has become such a staple over the last few years, it’s hard to even remember life before it was so ubiquitous. Though it’s readily available in stores, almond milk is actually easy to DIY — and doing so has noteworthy advantages. Advertisement "Store-bought almond milk, unfortunately, doesn't have much nutrition," says Stephanie Middleberg, RD....

A bowl of fresh baby spinach on a wooden table. Image Credit: oxyzay/iStock/Getty Images Most people require between 10mg and 15mg of iron per day. If you have diabetes, getting proper amounts of iron in your diet is important. According to The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, anemia, or iron deficiency, is a considerable risk for those who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. In order to ensure your iron levels remain healthy, regularly incorporate iron-rich foods into your diet....

A small wooden spoonful of psyllium. Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/Getty Images When you need a fiber supplement or a laxative, Metamucil and Benefiber are two good choices. They’re made from different ingredients, but both products consist of natural soluble fiber, which prevents or relieves constipation and may help lower cholesterol. While they’re both safe, don’t take Benefiber if you must avoid gluten, and be aware that Metamucil can cause an allergic reaction if you’re sensitive to psyllium....

A woman hands another woman a box of nicotine gum. Image Credit: David McNew/Getty Images News/Getty Images Nicotine gum was created to help smokers drop the habit once and for all. Available as an over-the-counter medication at your local pharmacist, nicotine gum comes in a variety of flavors. Despite the benefits that these gums offer, some worry about their nutritional contents. Advertisement Calories Users of Nicorette do not have to worry about consuming too many calories with the gum....

When it comes to choosing the right sweetener, the question of maple syrup versus sugar is one that often comes up. Image Credit: AnjelaGr/iStock/GettyImages Before you reach for something sweet, you may want to weigh the pros and cons of maple syrup versus sugar. While they both contribute to your overall calories and sugar totals for the day, there are some significant differences in how they are processed that you should consider....

Overtraining can be a sign of exercise addiction. Image Credit: svetikd/E+/GettyImages The old adage “too much of a good thing” doesn’t apply to puppies, chocolate or hugs, but it does apply to exercise. Overexercising can cause a collection of symptoms, referred to as overtraining syndrome, which can be deleterious to your health. It may even stall weight loss and lead to weight gain. Advertisement Tip Overexercising can lead to hormonal and metabolic changes that can cause weight gain....

Make sure to check your shoe's fit. Image Credit: JGI/Tom Grill/Tetra images/GettyImages When the bottoms of your feet hurt during exercise, it makes getting through a sweat session that much tougher. Poor footwear selections, tough surfaces and improper form can all contribute to foot pain. Advertisement If your foot pain from working out persists even after making changes, consult your doctor to examine the underlying cause. Serious injuries such as stress fractures can cause your feet to hurt during a workout....

With more than two dozen varieties of Rockstar Energy Drink, you're sure to find a variety that appeals to you. Image Credit: Nikole Mock / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages With more than two dozen varieties of Rockstar Energy Drink, you’re sure to find a variety that appeals to you. Caffeine and other ingredients promising an energy boost make it tempting to chug a Rockstar drink before or after a workout. However, the beverage may not be as healthy as you think....

Rich in vitamin A, calcium and other nutrients, sour cream may improve eye, bone and brain health. Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages Sour cream makes an excellent addition to baked potatoes, homemade ice cream, soup, salad dressings and even smoothies. And sauces, dips and cakes wouldn’t taste the same without it. Advertisement This savory ingredient can turn any meal into a feast. But did you know that it's good for your health, too?...

A man reclining in a chair in the sunroom overlooking the pool. Image Credit: Kraig Scarbinsky/Photodisc/Getty Images Unlike other aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming puts little stress on your joints, making it an ideal exercise for people with arthritis. However, if you have had a perianal abscess lanced, avoid swimming until your lanced abscess has closed, which may take between five days and three weeks, depending on the severity of the wound....

references Cleveland Clinic: "Iliotibial Band Syndrome" The single-leg bridge is one preventive IT band exercise you can do right in your own living room, no equipment necessary. Image Credit: DjordjeDjurdjevic/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: DjordjeDjurdjevic/iStock/GettyImages Exercises What If You Already Have IT Band Pain? 7 IT Band Stretches Every Runner Should Do Sets 3 Reps 5 Kneel on the ground with your right foot on the floor, knee bent at 90 degrees and left knee on the ground, bent at 90 degrees....

Lotus seeds are valued for their nutritional and healing properties in Chinese medicine. Image Credit: eugenesergeev/iStock/GettyImages The lotus flower is symbolic in many cultures. In Buddhism, the lotus represents purity as well as desire. In traditional Chinese medicine, every part, including the seed, which is also known as the lotus nut, is used for healing purposes. Therefore, it is a symbol of health and harmony. Advertisement The lotus flower is also important in Indian, Egyptian and Japanese cultures....