Abs Of Rah

"Whether trying to lose some weight, tone up, or feel healthier overall, that picture-perfect diet is the key to success… right? Hold up: With the growth of various “health fads” — like liquid diets and all-you-can-eat cabbage soup — mixed messages about the best ways to stay healthy flood the airwaves. And some experts believe it’s the message certain diets support that cause them to flop, because they focus on losing weight instead of adopting an overall healthier lifestyle[1]. Here are some of the most common diet mishaps and how to help ditch them to turn any lifestyle into a healthy one!" - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"Breathe in, breathe out — simple right? Not so fast. When it comes to exercise, the art of inhaling and exhaling may be a little more complicated than we think. Should we breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth? And wait — what’s a diaphragm exactly? Whether the goal is running, lifting, or warrior posing with ease, read on to discover the best breathing techniques to put optimal performance well within reach." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

I was always taught the "breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth" for running, but that only lasted for the first quarter mile or so. As for the picture accompanying this article. I have to breathe in and out on the same side of my head. But that's just my thing. - jkram

"From the infamous Thighmaster to the downright peculiar Shake Weight, the fitness industry is saturated with products promising big results with little effort. Six-Pack abs in sixty seconds? Only in your dreams. Shoes that tone your legs and butt? Better keep on walking. That's not to say all gadgets are a waste of your time (and money). There are products out there that actually work, whether by helping you target specific muscle groups or offering a mental boost to push you past physical thresholds. If you're seeking a little extra motivation, or just itching for something new to play with, we've rounded up 20 pieces of gear—from high-tech toys to gym staples-- that will actually help you get in shape." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"When you run, your brain produces endorphins, neurochemicals that ease your pain and elevate your mood. You know it as runner’s high. But it doesn’t just make you feel good. Research shows that running for 30 minutes three times a week leads to an improvement in decision-making proficiency, better memory, a longer attention span, and greater mental longevity. In fact, one study found that you’re 15 percent more efficient at work on days you do cardio exercise." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

You also need the right shoes to make it work. Too much heel and too stiff and it won't. - Kevin (barely visible)

We have these at my local parks. It's nice to workout not cooped up in a gym. - Anika from FFHound!

"Americans may not eat the healthiest diets, but most get adequate levels of essential vitamins and nutrients, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For most nutrients, less than 10 percent of the population is deficient, the report showed. However, deficiency rates vary by age, gender and ethnicity, and close to a third of African-Americans were deficient in vitamin D, the report said. These higher deficiency rates are a concern and need more attention, said study researcher Christine Pfeiffer, of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"The District 12 Tributes have no where near the access to workout equipment that the Career Tributes have. Where the D12 Tributes excell is their ability to move through wilderness terrain. To replicate that, we're going to do runs outdoors, preferably on uneven terrain - most hiking trails will do well, or even running off trail. We're also going to work in Parkour Skills and field skills - running and cutting drills." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

I don't remember them talking about parkour in The Seam. - chrisofspades

"I thought I was tough. But being in great physical condition is not enough. What matters is listening to your body when it's warning you that you're pushing yourself too hard. Don't let arrogance mute that message." - chaz2b from Bookmarklet

"Maybe this will motivate you to work out. New research supports the idea that you don't need to spend hours at the gym everyday for your body to start feeling the positive effects of exercise. In fact, a single session on a stationary bike can affect your very DNA." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"Happily, the new rules are more user-friendly than the old ones. Here, four tips to live by." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"It appears that the brain “adapts and changes by bringing more of these power­houses” online, Davis says. The increased energy supply allows the brain to work faster and more efficiently. The finding could help scientists understand how exercise staves off age- and disease-related declines in brain function, because neurons naturally lose mito­chondria as we age, Davis explains." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"In a switch from from previous years, the race is being held at night instead of in the morning to allow people who had to be at work in the daytime to take part in the race that has regularly been held since 1978." - chaz2b from Bookmarklet

"Perhaps you’ve tried getting into exercise in the past, but you always find yourself slipping back into your old habits. You might manage to get to the gym three times a week at first, but soon, you’re back to going a couple of times a month at best" - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"Eating excess calories triggers fat gain that’s not always revealed in pounds on the bathroom scale, according to a study. In one of the most rigorous studies to date on differences among food types, researchers found that overeaters gain less weight if they shy away from protein. The results aren’t reassuring, said George Bray, an obesity specialist and the study’s lead researcher. Low-protein eaters gained just as much fat, and lost lean body mass, the study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"The best diet of 2012 is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, according to new rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. This is the second year in a row the DASH diet, which aims to prevent and lower high blood pressure, has won the category of "best diet overall." "While it may have started as a [blood pressure] lowering diet, it really has incredible nutritional value," said Deborah Enos, a certified nutritionist in Seattle and a MyHealthNewsDaily contributor. Second place was won by the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet, which aims to lower cholesterol, and third place went to the Mayo Clinic diet, which focuses on weight loss." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"The good news, according to a growing body of research, is that you don't need to get skinny or run an ultra to improve your health. Even if your BMI is on the high side, a simple walking program can drastically reduce your risk of heart disease and other ills. And people who exercise the least have the most to gain by simply getting off the couch." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

"Christmas may be a time of indulging for many, but health experts believe it is the perfect time to tell a loved one they are overweight. The National Obesity Forum and International Chair on Cardiometabolic Risk said it was important to be upfront because of the health risks." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

I suggest nobody tries that with me. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I might decide to take down your castle with a truck load of cinder blocks and a high velocity catapult. - April

"We all know that drinking soda isn't good for us. We know that it would be better for our health if instead we drank [insert pretty much any other beverage choice here — even beer!]. But there's just something about soda that keeps drawing us back. Whether you call it "soda," "pop," "soda pop," "Coke," or something else entirely, it's a good idea to stop drinking it once and for all. Here's why." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

I tend not to keep Coke in the house or I will drink too much of it. At home I drink water or coffee. Like Michelle, I do love an icy Coke every now and then. And it really helped my nausea when I was pregnant with Emily! - Mellyboo from fftogo

"The holidays are a time for indulgent feasts and parties with bountiful booze. That's great, but if you want to keep off the resulting holiday weight gain, it's best to prepare. High intensity exercise before meals can give a much-needed metabolic boost." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

I l0ve exercising.. ;3 just putting it out there :) - Ac0n (former Franc)

"That warm, fuzzy feeling you get from sitting in a sauna isn't in your imagination – and it may also help your heart. People with chronic heart failure who took saunas five times a week for three weeks improved their heart function and the amount of exercise they could do. Meanwhile, neurons that release the "happiness molecule" serotonin respond to increases in body temperature, perhaps explaining the sauna's pleasurable effects." - Shevonne from Bookmarklet