Bicycling is great exercise. In fact, riding your bike for an hour at a steady pace can burn up to 533 calories for a 140-pound individual. However, it’s important to keep safety precautions in mind when you go for a ride. Most people don’t even consider wearing a helmet when…
Celebrate the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout by butting out. We’re talking about extinguishing those cigarettes for good. Every year, the Great Smokeout is held on the third Thursday of November. To participate in this event, which went national in 1977, smokers take part by cutting back on the…
‘Tis the season to get outside and enjoy a football game, but for many, the main event is really the tailgate party that happens before kickoff. But high-fat meats that are smoked, fried or grilled can derail anyone’s diet efforts and make you sluggish before halftime. Other diet no-nos that…
Dieting? Are you serious? Many people talk a big game when it comes to losing weight, but how committed are they when it comes to making the effort? You can assess your own weight-loss efforts and initiative to get started by asking yourself a few questions. Are you waiting to…
So many drinks, so many calories. Beverages seem so innocuous. But like anything else that goes into your mouth, they can quickly become a major diet trap. Take soda for instance. One cup of cola has 136 calories and 9 teaspoons of sugar. An eight ounce serving of Mountain Dew…
So you’re ready to embark on a weight-loss journey. You want something fairly easy and painless – who doesn’t? But when you decide to lose weight, it’s important to examine diet plans to see if they fall into the “fad diet” category. The bottom line is if a diet isn’t…
Potassium is an important mineral whose importance is often overlooked. However, it plays a huge role in optimal functioning of the heart, metabolism, muscles and the nervous system. Potassium also plays a role in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in body cells. Getting too little potassium is rare when one…
It’s common knowledge that high cholesterol is a major health hazard. But how many people take into consideration good cholesterol? Good cholesterol, known as HDL, helps fight against heart disease. According to research, HDL cholesterol is made up of protein, lipids and cholesterol. The HDL drives out the LDL, also…
Fast food restaurants, convenience stores and other one-stop shops for junk food can be the ultimate landmine for even the most determined dieter. When hunger strikes, it’s important to have healthy foods on hand. So instead of putting your diet on ice, put some healthy foods on it. When hunger…
There are just some times of the month when, regardless of how much of a gym rat you normally are, you can’t seem to get moving. Or it just plain hurts to engage in the exercise you usually do. If periods cramp your fitness style, then there are some ways…