Recent Blog Posts

  Interval Training: Why it May be the Best Workout for You, Too   It's been used almost exclusively by elite athletes for decades, but now you'll find plenty of average gym-goers taking part in this trendy, fitness secret. It is interval training, a method of exercise that combines high-intensity bursts with short periods of rest, and converts say it's the fastest way to really get in shape. Interval training not only improves your endurance, but it will help you to burn more fat the next time you work out (even if you only exercise moderately). "There's definitely renewed interest in interval training," said Ed Coyle, the director of the human performance laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin in a New York Times article. While athletes use interval training to improve performance -- the dynamic bursts coupled with periods of rest closely mimic what goes on in all kinds of sports, like baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis and more -- the average person looking to stay fit stands to improve their cardiovascular fitness, boost their metabolism and raise their [...]

  Is Your Teenager Starting College? 10 Tips to Cut Back Costs Big Time While 56% of students attend four-year colleges or universities that charge tuition of less than $9,000 a year, 9 percent attend colleges with tuition of $33,000 or more a year. Paying for college tuition is one of the biggest expenses that many parents encounter. About 56 percent of students attend four-year colleges or universities that charge tuition and fees of $9,000 a year or less, 38 percent attend institutions that charge between $3,000 and $6,000 in tuition and fees, and about 9 percent attend colleges with fees totaling $33,000 or more per year. And this year, despite the economy, many families are footing the bill for their child’s education. A survey conducted by the Gallup organization for Sallie Mae (the largest U.S. student loan provider) found that 58 percent of families paid for college for the school year without loans. This is a large expense to come out of your income and savings … and as any parent of a college student already knows, the costs [...]

  The Dangers of "Junk Sleep", and What You Can Do About It Parents of teenagers are likely familiar with the array of media outlets -- iPads, TV, cell phones, stereos, video games and computers -- that many teens are glued to at all hours of the day. When's the last time YOU slept this peacefully? Check out the tips below to turn junk sleep into good sleep. The lure of these electronics may be damaging kids' health, causing them to not get enough sleep, nor enough quality sleep, according to a poll of 1,000 teens conducted by the Sleep Council. The survey of 12- to 16-year-olds found that: 30 percent of teens sleep just four to seven hours a night on school nights, instead of the recommended eight to nine hours. 23 percent say they fall asleep watching TV, listening to music or while using other electronics more than once a week. 19 percent admitted that leaving on the TV or computer impacted the quality of their sleep. 98.5 percent have a phone, music system or TV in their [...]

  12 Things NOT to Do in the Summer Heat When the thermometer climbs over 80 degrees F, you can easily become fatigued just from being outside in the heat. Once the temperature rises above 90 degrees -- a common occurrence during the dog days of summer in the United States -- you're at a very real risk for sunstroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Light-colored, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing is the rule for keeping cool in the summer heat. In terms of its potential to harm you, only the cold of winter poses a greater threat than the summer heat, according to the National Weather Service, so knowing how to keep cool is essential to your, and your family's safety. This summer, here are the top things that you should AVOID doing to beat the summer heat. Don't let yourself get thirsty. Staying hydrated helps to keep your body cool. You should drink regularly throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. Don't drink too much alcohol. It will cause your body to lose water. Don't eat heavy meals. Eating [...]

  Married Men (and Women) Really are Healthier and Respond Better to Certain Treatments   Although single men may tout the joys of living the carefree "bachelor's life," it turns out married men may have an advantage. Numerous studies have proven that married life is good for men, physically, mentally and spiritually as well as women. In fact, a recent study by UCLA researchers, published in an issue of the journal Cancer, found that, compared with single men, men with prostate cancer who are married, or even just in a relationship, reported: Better psychosocial and spiritual well-being Fewer adverse effects from treatment Less fear and anxiety about their cancer coming back Is saying "I do" key to a long, healthy life for men? Said Dr. Mark Litwin, the study's senior author, a UCLA professor of urology and public health, and a Jonsson Cancer Center researcher, "The message for men with prostate cancer is this: It is good to be partnered and have a support system following treatment ... Now we need to find a way to encourage the use of [...]

  The Top 10 Slimming Foods You know how you can put on a couple of pounds by just looking at a cheeseburger and fries? Well, some foods have the opposite effect, helping you burn extra energy -- and keep weight off -- just by eating them. Better still, these slimming foods do not all taste like grass or rice cakes; these are REAL, delicious and satisfying foods -- foods that you might even be craving right now. So go ahead and indulge. With food options like these it’s easy to eat right … and lose weight while you’re at it. 1. Sweet Potatoes Swapping out your white potatoes for a sweet potato is a great move, waist-wise, as animal studies suggest that sweet potatoes help to stabilize your blood sugar levels and lower insulin resistance, which can help you fight fat. 2. Oranges Oranges are rich in flavones, and a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who ate the most flavones had a lower increase in body fat over a 14-year period! 3. Cinnamon [...]