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78 Results for search "Exercise: Misc.".

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The next time you buy a large popcorn at the movies, consider saving the tub. After you wipe it clean, the neighborhood kids can use it as a fort. From family restaurants to theaters to the frozen food aisle, portion sizes are expanding at an alarming rate. Not coincidentally, so is the typical American waistline. For all of the current talk about fats and carbohydrates, portion sizes may be the ...

Want to know how to avoid heart trouble? You can start by asking a nurse. Or, better yet, about 84,000 nurses. A 14-year study of 84,129 nurses -- published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2000 -- provides a blueprint for protecting the heart. You don't have to be a medical professional to follow it, either. No matter your age, your gender, or your past lifestyle, now's the time to start...

Why should I lift weights? If you think that weights are only for body builders and biceps-flexing showoffs, you may be surprised to learn that a good lifting routine has many health benefits, especially for women. Most women start losing bone mass in their late 30s or early 40s. Weight training can restore bone strength and help prevent osteoporosis. As a bonus, weight training can help you trade...

Is an elliptical trainer a good choice for getting in shape? Elliptical trainers are a superior choice for many people. An elliptical provides a vigorous, aerobic workout comparable to jogging, but with far less stress on the joints. It works a wide variety of muscle groups, including your back, shoulders, chest, arms, and abdominals. All those muscles working at once means that the heart rate ris...

Is a stair climber a good choice for getting in shape? Climbing stairs gives you an effective lower-body workout as you lift your weight with every step. For this reason, one of the most common weight-loss tips is to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Working out on a stair machine is even better. Unlike the occasional burst of work required to climb actual flights of stairs, a stair machine...

Is a stationary bicycle a good choice for getting in shape? Riding a stationary bicycle gets your heart pumping, so it's an excellent option if you're looking for aerobic conditioning. Pedaling also provides a workout for the large muscles in your legs. And it has an important advantage over regular cycling: Neither rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night will keep you from enjoying some exercise. Som...

Is a treadmill a good choice for getting in shape? Treadmills aren't the most exciting way to get fit, but they can certainly do the job -- well enough, in fact, to be the most popular exercise machines in America. Whether you decide to walk, jog, or run, you can get a great cardiovascular and lower-body workout in any kind of weather. On the downside, it doesn't do much for your upper body, so yo...

What are the benefits of running? Running demands a lot from your body, and it gives back a lot in return. Like any other aerobic exercise, it will strengthen your heart and lungs, giving you more stamina to get through your day. Running also reduces stress, tones your lower body, and burns up to 1,000 calories an hour. How do I get started? The first thing you should do is get a good pair of ru...

There's a world of difference between being old and feeling old. Your birthdays may be piling up, but that doesn't mean you have to slow down, grow weak, or lose energy. All it takes to keep your body and spirits strong is a little exercise - and an understanding of what it does. Take this quiz to see how much you know about exercise for seniors. 1. Aerobic exercise is the fastest way for senior...

Do you wheeze during a workout? Do you cough after a morning jog? If so, don't despair. You could be Olympic material. Many athletes at all levels, including about 20 percent of U.S. Olympic athletes, have asthma. Even though exercise can trigger an attack, people with asthma don't have to stay on the sidelines. With the right treatment, practically anyone with asthma can compete in any sport -- ...

It doesn't take much effort to sign up for a gym membership. Getting the right pair of shoes, choosing a workout outfit, finding an hour in your schedule -- no problem. But sticking to a routine that will get you real results -- that's the stumbling block that separates the successful exercisers from the rest of the crowd. Recent surveys suggest that half of all Americans don't get enough exercise...

How can I find a running shoe that's right for my foot? Your ideal shoe is out there. But before you can find it, you'll have to figure out your own feet. How are they shaped? If you're flat-footed, your feet probably roll inward when they hit the ground, a motion called pronation. If you have high, rigid arches, your feet probably roll outward (supination). In either case, you'll want a shoe that...

If you have arthritis, you should give your joints plenty of rest. Just make sure the rest doesn't turn into a permanent vacation. Even though your joints may complain, you need to keep them moving from time to time. In fact, regular exercise is one of the best arthritis remedies around. Your doctor can help you find an exercise program that's right for you. In the meantime, take this short quiz t...

Exercise used to be off-limits to people with hemophilia. As late as the early 1960s, doctors worried that something as gentle as walking or a jog through the park could trigger internal bleeding. Today, people with hemophilia are hitting the gyms and playing just about everything except rough contact sports. They're having fun, staying fit, and enjoying all of the other standard benefits of exerc...

High blood pressure is always worrisome, but it's especially dangerous in the lungs. Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) can hamper breathing, damage the heart, and even threaten a person's life. While modern treatments can often relieve symptoms, patients have to do their part to control the disease. Do you know how to stay on top of PPH? Take this short quiz to find out. 1. People with PPH ...

What are the benefits of swimming? Swimming is a gentle but challenging exercise that tones your body while giving your heart an excellent workout. Contrary to popular wisdom, recent studies suggest that swimming can be helpful for weight loss and at least as effective as a walking program. Because its not a weight-bearing exercise, its not likely to strengthen bones or prevent osteoporosis. By th...

It's Saturday morning, the sun is up, and you've dug your bike out of the garage for the first time in months. Do you know what to pack before you pedal? We've put together a checklist of items, below. Be sure to customize it according to the season, the weather, the geography, and your own personal needs. After a couple of trips, you'll figure out which "extras" can be left at home and which can'...

Snowboarders say it's a blast -- and that you'll never go back to two skis. But before you run out and spend hundreds of dollars on high-end gear, make sure you agree on all counts. The smart approach is to rent your equipment the first few times you take to the slopes on a snowboard. This allows you not only to make sure the sport is to your liking but to try out a number of different brands, sty...

Are you a novice or never-before skier who's eager to hit the slopes this winter? Before you run out and spend hundreds of dollars on high-end gear, make sure you enjoy skiing enough to do it more than one weekend a year. A smart approach is to rent your equipment the first few times you carve up the mountain. This allows you not only to make sure the sport is right for you but to try out several ...

Looking for a fun way to get your exercise during the snowy days of winter? If you're sick of running the treadmill in your basement or dragging yourself to the gym for yet another aerobics class, you might want to pick up cross-country skiing. It's a great excuse to get outside during the winter months -- and it's considered one of the most complete forms of aerobic exercise around. Visiting a n...

Hitting the trail this weekend? Look over our checklist, below, to make sure you're ready. You'll want to customize this list, taking into account the season, the weather, the location where you'll be biking, and any individual needs you have. After a couple of trips, you'll figure out which extras can be left at home and which can't. Just print out this list and check items off as you pack them....

Kayaking can be a wet and wild way to spend a day -- but if you've got the right gear, you'll be ready for anything the rapids throw at you. Be sure to tailor this list for each outing; you'll want to add or drop certain items according to the season, the weather, the location, and your own personal needs. Just print out this list and check items off as you pack them. If you want a more customize...

Can exercise really fight depression? A gym membership and a new pair of walking shoes aren't magic bullets against depression, but there's no doubt that your mood is closely tied to your exercise habits. Many studies have found that people who exercise regularly tend to be less anxious and depressed than people who rarely work out. Exercise programs have been shown to help improve the moods of he...

Everybody knows exercise is great for both body and mind, so why do so many of us stay rooted to the couch? Simply put, getting motivated to exercise isn't always easy. You may already enjoy a life filled with watching television, reading, and surfing the Internet, and might cringe at the mere thought of hitting the gym. If spinning classes and hard-core aerobics were your sort of thing, you'd alr...

Twenty years ago, when Americans heard the word "salsa" most were likely to think of spicy Mexican hot sauce. These days, however, "salsa" is apt to conjure up a different image: breathtaking turns and floating hips, the taut, sensual embrace of a dance partner, and Caribbean-spiced Latin rhythms. Dancing the night away at gyms and community centers, nightclubs and parties across the country, mill...

What are the benefits of bicycling? Even if it didn't do anything for your health, riding a bicycle would still be a great way to get around. Bicycles don't pollute, and they let you see the neighborhood or the countryside at a leisurely speed without a car window getting in the way. And, as you no doubt remember from your childhood, bicycles are just plain fun. That said, they are also serious ex...

You've probably already heard that good nutrition and regular exercise can lower your risk of cancer. That's all well and good, but not all cancers respond the same way to lifestyle. Here's a closer look at the sometimes complicated relationship between, diet, exercise and 13 specific cancers from the American Cancer Society. Fortunately, many of the steps that protect you from one cancer will pro...

There's still no cure for Alzheimer's or known way to prevent it. But if you're worried about developing the disease, your doctor just might give you an unexpected prescription. She might urge you to exercise daily, eat a diet rich in whole foods, and watch your weight. She might even recommend taking a language class or some dance lessons. Or having a fish dinner twice a week. Or adding curry dis...