HealthyWeek

To truly make the most of your weight loss and fitness efforts, it's best to follow a program that covers all the bases. Resistance training is a great way to build lean muscle and reduce fat, but it may not be enough by itself to produce the results you're looking for. Therefore, be sure to also include regular cardio sessions in your workout and spend some time stretching, as well. The same logic applies for doing cardio by itself; you will drop pounds, but not as fast as you would if you also weight train. And, without resistance training, you will not put on any considerable amount of lean muscle. But, what do you do if you don't have any weights at your disposal? Simple - use your own body weight. This article, from the popular fitness website iLookLikeFit.com, offers some great tips on how to get a solid body weight workout. The solution? Take a moment to reevaluate your workout. Be sure to include both resistance training and cardio sessions throughout the week. And,...

According to a report by the Society for Women's Research , seventy-four percent of women ages 18 to 44 don't have even a clue as to what their cholesterol numbers are. Clearly this is a problem, as high cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, the number one killer of women. So, what should your numbers be? I'd suggest that you talk to your doctor to find out the answer to this question. In the meantime, here's a pretty good guide: Total Cholesterol (HDL + LDL + Triglycerides) : You should aim to keep it less than 200 mg/dL. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) : Try to keep this bad cholesterol at a level of less than 100 mg/dL. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) : Keeping this good cholesterol at around 50 mg/dL or higher is a good idea. Triglycerides : Keep these energy-storing fatty acids at a level of less than 150 mg/dL.

There's something to be said for not allowing your age to slow you down. After all, if you've been alive for 60 years, but still feel like a 30-year-old, you should act the way you feel. However, Madonna is taking things a step further -- for her 50th birthday celebration, her guests are under strict instructions to not mention the number 50 in any way, shape, or form, because the singer believes her "spiritual age" to be 36 . The high priests of Kabbalah have calculated Madge's spiritual age to be 14 years younger than her actual age by channeling her energy. And, truth be told, she certainly has the energy and, dare I say, the aura of someone much younger. So if she feels like she's 36, that's great. But, I have a problem this refusal to acknowledge 50. By doing this, Madonna is sending a message to women everywhere that it's not acceptable to turn 50, when we know that's far from the truth, especially these days. Instead of being a fitness inspi...

Working with SportsHealthExercise.Org (a company built on real advice from real experts in various areas of health and fitness), I was able to film a ton of great Fit Kicks , including this one here. Fit Kicks are smart, energetic and quick Kick Butt tips to help get you in the best shape of your life!

Following a balanced diet improves your overall health. Proper nutrition not only helps you feel good, though -- it also helps you look good! According to the Mayo Clinic, a diet rich in antioxidants has a protective effect on skin . And, the good news is that these foods that are good for your skin are also good for you in general! Conversely, certain foods actually seem to be related to skin damage. The Mayo Clinic says that a diet high in meat and full-fat milk can increase your risk of skin wrinkling.

When you really get down to it, one of the main objectives of life is to stay alive for as long as we can. On average, we occupy a place on this planet for about 75 years. Some of us hang around for a little longer, while others take an earlier ferry. Still, barring any unfortunate accident or contraction of a terminal illness at a younger age, 75 seems to be the norm. Keeping your stay on this wonderful world of ours from being cut short sometimes requires a good amount of work (regular exercise, adequate amounts of sleep, stressing less, etc.). However, there are also some easy ways to prevent early departure, many of which involve nothing more than a revised grocery shopping list. For the next eight days, we'll offer one death-defying food choice each day to help keep you healthy and happy for many more years to come. Death-Defying Food #2: Oranges Having higher levels of vitamin C in your bloodstream can greatly reduce your risk of stroke, according to an article recently publi...

If you aren't much into calorie restriction in your pursuit of a long life, there are other practices you can adopt. Mark Liponis, M.D., says in his book Ultralongevity that the best way to live a long and healthy life is to have a healthy immune system. Translation: You want a quiet, peaceful immune system, not an overactive one. In the spirit of longevity, then, here are seven steps for soothing your system. Breathe . Yes, if you're reading this, you are in fact breathing. But are you doing it right? The goal is to calm your breathing to two breaths per minute or less. Learn how to master this step here . Eat . Eating is stressful to our immune systems. Germs, parasites, toxins, poisons, and other dangerous stuff gain access to our bodies when we eat. Grazing on healthy foods is the preferred eating pattern. More here . Sleep . Chances are, you're not getting enough sleep. Bad news, because any lack of quality sleep robs the immune system. Time to learn how to sleep eff...

As if being pimply-faced during high school isn't punishment for some guys, it actually may be an indicator of elevated prostate cancer risk, say researchers from Johns Hopkins. In an analysis of existing data on the matter, scientists discovered that men with a history of acne outbreaks are at a greater risk of developing this disease than men with clear complexions. This comes on the heels of a separate study, wherein it was found that acne-related bacteria existed in over 30 percent of prostate glands removed from cancer patients. While the cause of this acne/prostate link remains unknown, researchers posit that the acne-related bacteria may cause inflammation in the prostate gland, which, in turn, may boost the risk of cancerous forming and possibly metastasizing.

While it may be somewhat apocryphal, the legend has it that Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon traveled to Florida in search of the Fountain of Youth. And though he was more likely there to search for gold and expand the Spanish empire, the story of vitality-restoring water is one that continues to intrigue us to this day. This is not surprising, considering that even people today are still searching for an elixir of eternal youth. Some turn to plastic surgery and injections of botulism (also known as Botox), while others dole out thousands of dollars at so-called "anti-aging" centers to undergo hormone replacement therapy. I honestly pass no judgment on either group; to each their own is what I say. However, it's still worth mentioning that there are natural and safe ways to slow down the hands of time, and none of them require going under the knife or sailing a Spanish galleon across the Atlantic. Eat fish once a week -- Researchers from the Rush University Medical Center i...