anndody

If you hate to go to the gym, you are not alone. The good news is - you can get results in the comfort of your own home with some simple home exercises. Bodyweight training CAN be effective. It CAN be a substitute for weights, if necessary. Training using your own body weight as a source of resistance is a time tested technique to get results fast. Here are the ten best bodyweight training exercises that give you great workouts and great results - without the gym. 1. Supine Pull-Ups (works major muscles in back, shoulders, and biceps) Use two chairs and a pole - a heavy broom handle works well. WARNING: make sure the chairs are stable and that the broom handle is strong enough to take your weight. You could be SEVERELY injured if the pole were to break or the chairs to slip. Lie on your back underneath a low bar. Grab the bar with a wide overhand grip. Pull up. Lower and repeat for 6-8 reps. 2. Supine Biceps Pull-Ups (biceps, some back) Use the same chairs-and-pole arrangement from #1...

Feeling great naked is only 6 exercises away. By Denise Brodey, Prevention While other fitness buffs are thinking about toned legs and arms, women doing this plan can revel in their own little secret: Not only will it give you a flat belly, but it'll boost your sex drive—in an hour. Studies show women's sexual satisfaction directly correlates to their exercise quotient. "Working out boosts endorphins that get you in the mood," says Laura Berman, Ph.D., founder of the Berman Center, a sexual health clinic in Chicago. She teamed up with Prevention to devise this exclusive libido-boosting routine, based on her new book, The Passion Prescription (Hyperion, 2006). Her Rx: daily Kegels, plus, on alternating days, five more sex-enhancing moves designed to target the pelvic floor and abs. "Increasing the circulation to the pelvic area is a key component of better sex," says Berman. Just be forewarned: The aphrodisiac effect of this plan might kick in immediately...

By Melba Newsome, Women's Health Women's Health Jen Singer Occupation: Mother of two Nome: Kinnelon, N.J. Type of cancer: B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Age diagnosed: 40 Jen Singer wasn't concerned. OK, she was having trouble dragging herself off the Serta every morning—but with two small children, it was normal to feel fatigued, right? And those nagging aches? Well, considering that she played tennis and took spinning classes, not all that shocking. Besides, the youthful 39-year-old was still surprised when grocery-store clerks called her "ma'am." What was there to worry about? So when the New Jersey resident started to feel sharp pain in her shoulder blade, she sucked it up. "Some people would have gone to the doctor," she says. "But I hadn't felt my best in so long—one problem or another was nagging at me." Soon, though, she was feeling breathless and running a fever. When she finally complained of her symptoms to her primary-car...

With these simple tweaks, your taste buds and your scale will thank you. By Joy Bauer, PARADE Magazine Just because you're trying to lose weight doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite foods. Even red meat, nuts, and salad dressings are OK—if you choose right. After all, if you don’t feel deprived, you're much more likely to stick to any diet. With these easy tweaks, your taste buds and your scale will thank you. Muffins Eating a bran or carrot muffin in the morning may seem like a good idea, but don't be fooled. These healthy-sounding options often are loaded with sugar, fats, and oils. Most store-bought muffins also have been super-sized to epic proportions. Raisin bran muffins at some popular chains can clock in at more than 400 calories. Swap: A whole-wheat English muffin has 130 calories and good-for-you fiber. For added protein and a touch of sweetness, add a table­spoon of peanut butter. Fruit smoothies Sure, all that fruit makes smoothies healthier than...

I really like this fast, easy method of preparing a high protein, low carb diet mainstay of the Barbarian Diet- the hard boiled egg! Also, I just read a GREAT overview of the dietary shenanigans of the past 50 years or so detailing how the high carb, low fat diet became gospel- WRONGLY! Read Gary Taube's book- "Good Calories, Bad Calories". Very erudite- but fascinating- I read it in two long sittings, cover-to-cover. If you want the bottom line, just read page 454 in the book; the summary: 1.Dietary fat, whether saturated or not, is not a cause of obesity, heart disease, or any other chronic disease of civilization. 2. The problem is the carbohydrates in the diet, their effect on insulin secretion, and thus the hormonal regulation of homeostasis-the entire harmonic ensemble of the human body. The more easily digestible and refined the carbohydrates, the greater the effect on our health, weight, and well=being. 3. Sugars- sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup specificall...

How to tell when a surgical biopsy is necessary. By Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness Q: I'm a woman in my late 30s and found a lump on my breast. I had a mammogram and ultrasound, both of which came back negative. On my doctor's suggestion, I then met with a surgeon, who said it's not a cyst and wants to have a surgical biopsy done to know for sure. I'm confused. Should I get a second opinion? A: Breast lumps are pretty common, especially in premenopausal women. Fortunately, most are benign (not cancerous) and tend to come and go during a menstrual cycle. However, finding one can be very scary, especially with the knowledge that it could be cancer. This fact makes it very important for every woman—or man, for that matter—to see a physician if any changes in the breasts or nipples, such as discharge or bleeding, is noticeable. That being said, I want to reassure you that it sounds as if your physician has followed the proper protocol in evaluating your breast lum...

Ten ways to beat stress in 10 minutes or less. By Alison Kotch, Best Life Did you know that the holiday season is the time of the year when you're most likely to die from a heart attack? According to research at the University of California, the deadliest day is Christmas, when you're 5 percent more likely to have a cardiac event. Of course, all the key stressors (finance, family, travel) seem destined to be worse this year (they always do). Since a restful night's sleep or an hour at the gym isn't always possible, here are 10 quick ways to stress less. One second: Swear Researchers at England's University of East Anglia Norwich looked into leadership styles and found that using swear words can reduce stress and boost camaraderie among coworkers. Good luck, #!$*&^*@! Five seconds: Pop fish oil According to research from the University of Pittsburgh, people with the highest blood levels of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are happier, less impulsive, and more agre...

Many winter fruits are packed with fresh flavor and excellent nutrition—and boast as much or more health benefits as some of summer’s favorites. Add these fabulous fruits to your shopping basket this season and enjoy! Clementine The smallest of the mandarin oranges, clementines are a tasty, nutritious snack: eat two and you get a day’s worth of vitamin C, for only 70 calories. Grapefruit Sweet, tart and tangy, grapefruit are in their prime during the winter. Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of fiber, potassium and folate. The pink and red varieties provide lycopene, an antioxidant associated with prostate health. Studies have shown that the soluble fiber in grapefruit may be beneficial in lowering cholesterol. Kiwi A study from Rutgers University compared 27 of the most popular fruits, determining that the kiwi is the most nutritionally dense of them all. One tangy-sweet kiwi supplies a full day’s dose of vitamin C, plus good amounts of potassium, a mi...

Try these recession-proof workout ideas. By Lara Rosenbaum for ExerciseTV These days, financial fitness seems as coveted as the physical kind, but just because you're watching your wallet doesn't mean you have to stop watching your waistline. In fact, keeping up with your workouts can increase energy, lift a sour mood and reduce stress—all important perks when times are tough. And the best part? Like any of the best things in life, getting fit—and staying there—can be completely free. Of course, you can throw on a pair of sneakers and head outside for a run or brisk walk—these methods are tried and true. But for a more well-rounded approach to fitness, why not try a free workout download to start trimming down and toning up? Read on for some of our favorite free online workouts, as well as tips to meet your fitness and nutrition needs without spending a cent. Get creative with cardio Revving up your heart rate has been shown to release feel-good endorphins, which can buoy your ...

Are laser-assisted hair removal procedures safe? By Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness Q: I've heard horror stories about people who have obtained second-degree burns from laser hair removal procedures. Can this really happen? How safe is the procedure? Are there any alternatives to removing unwanted hair? A: The newer types of laser delivery systems utilize cooling techniques that help to protect the top layer of the skin (epidermis) during treatment, thus lowering the risk for burns. Even so, it is not unusual to experience redness, mild pain and swelling after laser-assisted hair removal. Second-degree burns (severe pain, blistering of the skin) have the potential to occur, but are not common. However, sensitivity to the treatment can vary from person to person. Speak with your physician to discuss realistic expectations and potential side effects prior to any procedure. All lasers are not created equal When discussing laser-assisted hair removal, you may hear names of devi...

By Jay Dixit, PsychologyToday.com Psychology Today A friend was walking in the desert when he found the telephone to God. The setting was Burning Man, an electronic arts and music festival for which 50,000 people descend on Black Rock City, Nevada, for eight days of "radical self-expression"—dancing, socializing, meditating, and debauchery. A phone booth in the middle of the desert with a sign that said "Talk to God" was a surreal sight even at Burning Man. The idea was that you picked up the phone, and God—or someone claiming to be God—would be at the other end to ease your pain. So when God came on the line asking how he could help, my friend was ready. "How can I live more in the moment?" he asked. Too often, he felt, the beautiful moments of his life were drowned out by a cacophony of self-consciousness and anxiety. What could he do to hush the buzzing of his mind? "Breathe," replied a soothing male voice. My friend flinched at the tired new-...