It is that time of year when the hustle and bustle of Christmas begins to take over your livelihood. Every weekend there seems to be another party or gathering with all types of high calorie food and drinks. Then you have the infinite list of items that you must buy for those special individuals in your life. It all seems to snowball and your fitness level tends to deteriorate because you have made other things a priority. You have to take the time for yourself during all of this insanity, so you don't end up looking like a Santa Clause stand in. If you have spent the last 6 months working on … [Read more...] about How to Survive the Holiday Insanity
How to Avoid Weight Regain, According to Science
Regardless of where you are on your weight-loss journey, you're likely living with the constant fear of gaining it all back. Your worry is not unfounded: Research suggests men and women on most traditional diets drop 5 to 10 percent of their original weight within the first six months, but less than 5 percent maintain that weight loss over time. Even worse, over two-thirds of dieters regain more than they lost. No wonder folks stay up late at night worrying if weight creep is lurking around the corner. If you're one of them, relax. There's no need to stress about this if you're using the … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Weight Regain, According to Science
6 Keys to a Safe, Allergy-Free Halloween
MONDAY, Oct. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Halloween can be really scary for kids with asthma and allergies -- and for their parents -- unless they take precautions, an allergist advises. "Keep certain common sense tips in mind as you prepare for the holiday," said Bryan Martin, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). "A little preparation can ensure your little ones don't suffer from allergic reactions or asthma attacks," Martin said in an ACAAI news release. To help parents prepare, he offered these six tips: Masks can be scary. For kids with … [Read more...] about 6 Keys to a Safe, Allergy-Free Halloween
Back to School – and Back in Action
For some kids, going back to school means transitioning from an active summer spent outdoors to several hours of sedentary time each day. For others, this time of year means a return to sports and after-school activities following three months of binge-watching TV shows and playing video games. In either scenario, it's important for parents to establish a routine and introduce a variety of ways to get – or keep – their kids active. Here's how you can help your children live a more active lifestyle throughout the school year – no matter their age: 1. Walk or bike to and from … [Read more...] about Back to School – and Back in Action
Can you trick your body into burning more fat?
The sports world has been abuzz in recent years with the idea that athletes could improve their performance by following an ultra high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. Fans of this diet plan said it allows them to run, swim or bike endless miles without needing to refuel with sugary foods. Others, like mixed martial artist George St. Pierre, said they use a low-carb diet to drop 20 to 30 lbs. (9 to 14 kilograms) in a five-day span before weigh-ins, qualifying for lower weight classes in their bouts. (Doing this can lead to deadly dehydration and should never be attempted without medical … [Read more...] about Can you trick your body into burning more fat?
Souring on Artificial Sweeteners: Substances May Boost Appetite
Artificial sweeteners have gone from diet darlings — touted for allowing people to get a hit of sweetness without the calories of sugar — to a more maligned ingredient, as evidence mounts suggesting a complicated net effect on calorie consumption. Now, a new study done in fruit flies and mice offers insights into how zero-calorie sweeteners may actually increase appetite. Previous studies in both humans and animals have suggested that artificial sweeteners might promote weight gain, but that research is controversial, said Greg Neely, an associate professor of genomics at the University of … [Read more...] about Souring on Artificial Sweeteners: Substances May Boost Appetite
Exercise Tied to Lower Risk for 13 Types of Cancer
Anyone who still needs motivation to move more may find it in a new study showing that, in addition to its other health benefits, exercise appears to substantially reduce the risk of developing 13 different varieties of cancer. That is far more types than scientists previously thought might be impacted by exercise. The comprehensive study also suggests that the potential cancer-fighting benefits of exercise seem to hold true even if someone is overweight. The idea that exercise might change someone’s susceptibility to cancer is, of course, not new. Many studies have found that people who are … [Read more...] about Exercise Tied to Lower Risk for 13 Types of Cancer
Dietary Mineral Could Be One Key to Blood Pressure Control
Sufficient dietary levels of the mineral nutrient magnesium might be a boon to good blood pressure, new research suggests. "Magnesium dilates arteries, and in doing so lowers the blood pressure," explained Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a cardiologist who reviewed the new findings. "Foods high in magnesium include whole grains, beans, nuts and green leafy vegetables," she added. The new study was led by Dr. Yiqing Song, associate professor of epidemiology at Indiana University's School of Public Health. According to the researchers, past studies that focused on the role of magnesium in … [Read more...] about Dietary Mineral Could Be One Key to Blood Pressure Control