Weight Loss Tricks

Exercising before breakfast is an excellent way to jump-start your day with a much-needed burst of energy. What's more, if you do the right exercises, you'll find that that energy keeps on coming, as getting your heart rate up can create an after-burn effect, where you will continue to burn more calories well after you've hit the showers. Bonus: If you eat your breakfast within 30 to 60 minutes after working out, you'll reap even more of the benefits. You'll get not only the after-burn effect, but you'll also speed up muscle repair and recovery through the replenishment of lost electrolytes and nutrients. Now, if you're 60 years old or older, it can be tricky to find the right kind of workout that won't put excess strain or pressure on the joints, but which still does the job of getting the heart rate up while burning calories, boosting endorphins (those "feel good" happy hormones), and strenthening muscles. Good news: If you think you nee

"Growing evidence indicates that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by adopting key lifestyle habits," says the Alzheimer's Association . "When possible, combine these habits to achieve maximum benefit for the brain and body. Start now. It's never too late or too early to incorporate healthy habits." Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You Have "Long" COVID and May Not Even Know It . 1 You're Not Fueling Up Right "Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline," says the Alzheimer's Association. "Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets, including Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to risk reduction." 2 You're Not Taking Care of Your Mental Health

You've probably seen those T-shirts and bumper stickers that read, "I'm not getting older—I'm getting better." And you've probably rolled your eyes a time or two, at least, in response. But the truth is, according to science, adopting that attitude can actually lengthen your life—whether you take action or simply adjust your perspective about aging. Being conscious and strategic about aging well—not just doing what you did when you were younger, or assuming that how your parents and grandparents approached their older years was the only way—can have real benefits for your body, mind, and quality of life. Here's what science says are 7 common ways you could be ruining your body after age 60, and how to avoid that. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You Have "Long" COVID and May Not Even Know It . 1 You Don't Get Enough Sleep You might remember that your parents or grandparents

Ever woken up feeling as sore and exhausted as a boxing champion—even when all you did the night before was binge Never Have I Ever?  You might want to take a good long look at your go-to sleep position. "Every person has different body types and sizes. Back and neck pain can develop simply by sleeping in a position that isn't optimal for their proper spinal alignment," explains Kevin Lees, DC, of The Joint Chiropractic .  The mattress you sleep on can influence your positioning throughout the night as well. "The type of mattress a person uses can also affect how they sleep and the position they sleep in. Having proper support while one sleeps may help minimize how often they change position and awaken during the night. Laying in a position that creates more pressure or stress, such as being on their side on a firm mattress, may cause a person to toss and turn," Dr. Lees says. So, you may want to make a spacious, comfy mattress the first item on your checkli

Breakfast isn't just an opportunity to replenish your energy, it's also a chance to set the right tone for your day from a digestive standpoint. So, you might want to give a little more careful consideration to what you load onto your plate. It probably goes without saying that certain breakfast foods aren't ideal if you're trying to avoid bloating (like dairy products and pastries), but you may not know is that prioritizing one particular macronutrient can help you maintain a flat belly all day. Even more shocking? It happens to be a carbohydrate. Yes, you can have your carbs and eat them, too—especially in the morning when your body needs to refuel. And that secret ingredient is—drumroll, please— resistant starch . "Not all carbs are created equal," says Cara Harbstreet , an RD who focuses on intuitive eating . "Resistant starch may deliver similar health benefits to dietary fiber —and feeling full and satisfied are two key components of healthful,

Here's something we can all agree on (hopefully): Personal hygiene is important. (Especially in the age of an ongoing pandemic.) No one wants to look like they don't take care of themselves. Curiously, though, while pretty much everyone knows to prioritize hygiene when it comes to showers, teeth brushing, and skin care, the subject of sleep hygiene is woefully neglected. What exactly is sleep hygiene? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , "sleep hygiene" is nothing more than practicing good sleep habits consistently. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine tells us that maintaining a healthy sleep routine can improve overall sleep quality, decrease nighttime awakenings, and reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. The pillars of a winning sleep hygiene routine include regular exercise , avoiding alcohol and caffeine in the hours just before bed, leaving your smartphone out of the bedroom, and ensuring your bedroom is cool,

There are lots of benefits to being in your 40s . You're likely more settled, more confident, armed with lots of life skills and wisdom. But there is one frustrating downside to aging : It becomes that much harder to lose stubborn body fat and get lean. "As you age, you start losing muscle and gain excess body fat due to a shift in your hormones and lack of physical activity," says Vanessa Johnson, NCPT and director of instructor training for Club Pilates. This is especially true for women during perimenopause (which can start in your 40s) and menopause (which usually hits around age 50 or 51). The hormonal fluctuations during these periods can make healthy weight management more challenging . Thankfully, it's not all doom and gloom. "Exercise, any form of exercise, will help you lose weight, assuming you stay in a calorie deficit," Johnson says. "Movement will naturally burn more calories and increase muscle mass, both of which help you lose body f

Health officials stress that the best way to stay healthy is good, old-fashioned common sense: Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently; avoid touching your mouth and nose; avoid people who are coughing and sneezing—all time-tested ways to avoid more minor illnesses like the common cold and flu. They're simple rules that, if followed, would make the world a healthier place. Here are the most common virus-spreading mistakes to avoid, no matter what time of year it is or what's going on in the news. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You Have "Long" COVID and May Not Even Know It . 1 Going Anywhere Sick If you are contagious, it's not appropriate to go to the office and "power through it"—even if you have a job that is deemed "essential." " For the love of humanity, do not come to work if you are sick or believe you may have the flu, " states Michèle Oricoli, Certified