Ì첩ÌåÓý

Exercise & Fitness Archive

Articles

Move of the month: Side lunge with knee lift

A side lunge with a knee lift works the inner and outer thigh muscles and helps improve balance.

The far-reaching effects of a little bit of weight loss

Losing 5% of one's total body weight can result in clinically significant physiologic changes. For example, losing a little weight can reduce heartburn, knee pain, blood pressure, and diabetes risk. Losing 5% of one's body weight may also lead to better sexual function, more restorative sleep, extra energy, and more self-esteem. To reach a 5% reduction in total body weight, it helps to exercise; eat a healthy diet rich in lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds; and get enough sleep.

Start moving with a fitness tracker

Fitness trackers accurately record objective data about physical activity, including the pace, distance, intensity, and duration of exercise. Knowing that something is keeping track of every move can motivate people to stick with a workout.

Cardiorespiratory fitness may protect men from some cancers

According to a 2023 observational study, greater cardiorespiratory fitness in men was linked to a lower risk of death from colon, lung, or prostate cancer.

Step up your running and walking workouts

Running and walking are two of the best exercises — and among the easiest to adopt — for almost everyone. But it can be easy to get in stuck in a rut. Some ways to reignite the excitement and boost commitment for these activities are to set goals and challenges, enlist a workout buddy, explore new routes, do more interval training, and buy fun accessories.

An inside look at body fat

As men age, their metabolism naturally slows, and they burn calories more slowly. They can be less active and consume extra calories. The result is a buildup of visceral fat inside the abdominal cavity and around vital organs. This can raise heart disease risk factors, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and total cholesterol levels. The best way to fight visceral fat is with aerobic exercise, strength training, and a healthy diet that includes plenty of protein.

Staying in shape: A case of "use it or lose it"

Fitness levels rapidly diminish when people abruptly stop workouts. Cardiovascular fitness declines within weeks, while muscle strength deteriorates after about two months. The longer a person hasn't exercised, the longer it will take to regain prior fitness levels. To restart exercise, people should seek their doctor's approval, especially if they have chronic conditions; build up exercise levels slowly; do the same types of exercises they once enjoyed; find an exercise partner; and track progress with wearable devices or by keeping a paper log.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Ì첩ÌåÓý Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Ì첩ÌåÓý Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.

Ì첩ÌåÓý Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.