Jan 14

Ankle Weights Are the Key to Firing Up Your Abs—These Are the 8 Best Exercises to Do

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If you’re looking to take your core workouts to the next level, try adding ankle weights to your next ab routine. Strapping on a light pair of ankle weights adds extra resistance and forces your core to work harder while stabilizing your body, explains Taylor Phillips, CPT, a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor at Equinox in New York City. The result? Stronger abs. Having a stronger core helps improve your posture, balance, and stability, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Working on your core strength can also make daily activities, like bending down to tie your shoes or sitting in your desk chair, that much easier. Below, you’ll find the best ankle weight exercises that’ll isolate your abs and help build a solid core. Think of these moves as the cherry on top of your strength routine.   But first, the benefits of using ankle weights for ab exercises   1. It adds an extra challenge to your core “Light ankle weights challenge the core by adding extra weight for the muscles of your core to brace against,” Phillips says. With more weight on your legs, you’ll have added resistance on your core muscles, which increases the demand on both […]
Jan 13

Simple changes for a healthy new year

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9 ideas to help you eat healthier and be kind to yourself   For many people, a new year is inspirational. It’s a time to set goals and think about what you want to accomplish in the year ahead. Where to focus? We’re going to look at ideas for making positive changes to your eating habits. Eating well is an important component of a healthy lifestyle, along with staying active, getting enough sleep and reducing screen time. Before the tips, a word about goal setting: It takes planning. You need to figure out what you want to do, how you will make it happen and why this goal is important to you. Will it make you happier, healthier or improve things in some way? It’s vital to have a clear sense of purpose to help you focus on what you want. Keeping your goals small and manageable will give you a better chance of success. And remember to treat yourself with kindness. Here are some small changes that could help you eat healthier in the year ahead.   Think about your plate: The key to healthy eating includes eating more whole, nutrient-dense foods, while cutting back on ultra-processed options. That means choosing vegetables, […]
Jan 12

7 tips to deal with an anxious mind

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Dealing with an anxious mind doesn’t mean you have to rely on complicated or time-consuming methods. These small, simple actions can make a big difference when practiced regularly. Anxiety is a natural reaction, but learning how to manage it empowers you to handle life’s pressures with greater ease. Give these tips a try and see which ones work best for you! An anxious mind can feel like a never-ending hurricane of thoughts, particularly during stressful circumstances. It’s typical to feel stressed when facing tight deadlines, crucial meetings, or unexpected challenges. Yet, you do not have to let anxiousness take control. Trying these lesser-known, practical tips can actually calm your mind and regain the control that you had.   Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique When anxiety strikes, your breathing becomes shallow, which worsens stress. A simple method is the 4-7-8 breathing technique. Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and exhale slowly for 8 seconds. A recent study published in the year 2023 showed that fast breathing can effectively reduce stress when paired with slower paces or holds. This slows your heart rate and signals your brain to relax, helping you feel more in control […]
Jan 11

Walking Workouts: 9 Myths and Facts to Know

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Should you be walking every single day? Is one long walk better than multiple shorter ones? And how fast should you be walking?   There are lots of reasons walking workouts are so popular. Walking boasts all the health and fitness benefits of other low-intensity steady-state cardio (LISS) workouts. Plus, they’re convenient and accessible. You don’t need a fancy gym or a lot of equipment to walk. Walking workouts are customizable to your personal ability. And they’re good for people of all fitness levels and ages. TikToker @exactlyliketheothergirls claims to have coined the term “hot girl walk,” which took the social media platform by storm. Her January 2021 video shows her weight-loss transformation that she attributes to the “hot girl walk” (which details her playlist and other recommendations). The video was viewed three million times and sparked the trending hashtag #hotgirlwalk (1.1B views) that appears on videos like those from @meeksbruh (18.2M views) and @nataliexelise (1.7M views). But are the glories of walking overrated? Here we bust a few myths and back up the cold hard truth about walking as exercise.   1. Myth: Walking 10,000 Steps a Day Is Ideal Many people use 10,000 steps as a benchmark for […]
Jan 10

Nutrition tips for men: Boost your immunity in your 20s, 30s, and 40s with these tweaks in your daily diet

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Diet tips: In your 20s, 30s, or 40s? Each decade has unique nutritional needs. From protein to vitamins, here’s how to fuel your body and boost immunity at every stage. Check out this essential guide to fulfil your nutrition requirements.   Proper nutrition is vital for men of all ages to maintain optimal health and immune function. In their 20s, men need nutrients to support rapid growth, muscle development, and overall energy. By their 30s, a balanced diet addresses increasing metabolic demands and supports cardiovascular health. By their 40s, nutrient needs shift towards preserving muscle mass, bone health, and preventing chronic diseases. Lean proteins and high-fibre foods remain important, while calcium, vitamin D, and B12 support bone density and cognitive functions. Here’s a complete guide on what men need across different ages for optimal immunity, as suggested by Dr Harshad Arora, senior cardiologist at Serenity Hospital, Hyderabad.   In your 20s: Protein: Lean meats, eggs, and legumes help build and repair muscle, which is crucial for a strong immune system and overall bodily function. Fruits and vegetables: Diverse, colourful fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immune health and combat free radicals. Whole grains: Foods like […]
Jan 09

10 Ways to Keep Your Mind Healthy in 2025

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Adopting even just one of these easy strategies can make a meaningful difference in how you feel and function.   Are you feeling mentally ready for 2025? Whatever your answer, there are some tried-and-true habits to help you feel sharp, alive and well in the coming year — and they’re easy to practice. As journalists who cover the mind and brain, we are continually asking experts about the behaviors, conditions and outlooks that influence mental and cognitive health. The tips listed here — some of our favorites from the past year — aren’t meant to ensure you’ll be upbeat and performing at your best 24/7 (frankly, that just isn’t realistic), but they can help you build resilience, find balance and prioritize the things that you hold most dear.   1. Move your body. If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it 1,000 times: Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your brain. Immediately after a workout, people tend to report feeling better emotionally, and their performance on tests of working memory and other cognitive functions improves. But the real benefits come from exercising consistently over time: People who do have a lower risk of developing […]
Jan 08

Want Bigger Arms? This Tricep Training Hack Could Help

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It’s all about extending the shoulder as well as the elbow, says top kinesiologist and trainer Jeremy Ethier   Is finally building sleeve-filling arms on your 2025 wish list? You won’t be alone – but to substantially grow your guns you need more than just curls. It’s your triceps, not your biceps, that are the biggest muscle in your arms, making it likely your failure to build is down to misdirected focus. So, instead of focusing all of your effort onto the front of your arms, spend this year thinking more about the other side. ‘If you’re struggling with your triceps growth or just want to get bigger triceps – and bigger arms – fast, there’s one triceps exercise that you need to include in your weekly routine,’ says Jeremy Ethier, kinesiologist, fitness trainer, and founder of Built with Science. Before we get into this magic movement, let’s quickly talk arm-building strategy.   How To Build Bigger Triceps The most important thing to know is that you shouldn’t rely on compound exercises to grow muscles like your tris. Yes, your triceps are bigger than your biceps, but they’re still small compared to your chest and shoulders. When you do compound […]
Jan 07

Here Are 5 Tips To Keep Active Through the Winter

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Snow and ice, illness, holiday travel and packed schedules are among the many reasons people struggle to stay fit in winter. Damon Swift, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development, studies the health impacts of exercise. He said consistency in exercise is important, and switching from an active to sedentary lifestyle for three months could cause you to lose benefits like cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to adapt your workout routine and stay healthy during the winter.   Think Beyond Weight To stay motivated, Swift recommends focusing on the many benefits of exercise. “I think sometimes the perception is, ‘If I’m not losing weight, I’m not improving my health,’” he said. “But it’s important to know there are benefits beyond weight control.” Swift said exercise provides mental health benefits, which are especially important when sunlight is scarce. Research shows exercise can reduce the risk of depression and improve symptoms of depression. Exercise also strengthens the immune system, an important benefit during cold and flu season. Swift shared his best advice with UVA Today.   Prepare for the Weather Freezing temperatures, cold and ice can derail […]
Jan 06

Tips To Keep You Healthy Throughout The Winter Season

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Layer your clothing to trap body heat and protect against wind chills this winter. Below we share a list of tips you can follow to stay healthy this winter.   The winter season can lead to various health issues due to cold weather, reduced sunlight, and increased indoor time. These factors can weaken the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to respiratory infections like colds and flu. Dry air, both indoors and outdoors, can cause dry skin, chapped lips, and irritation in the eyes and throat. Joint pain and stiffness may worsen for people with arthritis, and cold weather can exacerbate chronic conditions like asthma and cardiovascular issues. However, adopting healthy habits and proactive measures can mitigate these risks and help maintain overall well-being. Keep reading as we share a list of tips you can follow to stay healthy this winter.   9 Tips to stay healthy throughout the winter season   Cold weather often reduces thirst, but your body still needs hydration to maintain energy and skin health. Proper hydration supports immune function and helps prevent dryness in your skin and mucous membranes. Include seasonal fruits like oranges and kiwis, rich in vitamin C, to boost your immunity. […]
Jan 05

How to Get More Fit in 15 Minutes a Day

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You don’t need a lot of spare time to get started on your fitness journey.   For many people, fitting in a daily workout can feel really daunting. After a long day of work or school, sometimes the couch is the only appealing thing on the agenda. But did you know that exercising for just 15 minutes a day can have a pretty big impact on your overall health? Fifteen minutes may not seem like a lot of time to you, but fitness experts and scientific studies agree that it’s enough to make a difference. Any amount of exercise is better than zero. If you’re new to fitness or haven’t been active in a long time, a short, 15-minute workout may be best to start with anyway. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends starting light when it comes to fitness with just 10-15 minutes a day of activity. Whether it’s walking or something more involved, these short workouts can still be hugely beneficial to your body. Plus, starting small will help you establish a workout routine in your day-to-day. Keep in mind that exercise recommendations are not one-size-fits-all, so it may take some time to figure out what you […]
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