Blog Posts by The Editors at Sharecare

It's no secret that the faster you move, the more calories you burn. Add a few hills to the mix and you burn even more. Almost anything that makes you work harder -- wearing a weighted vest, pushing a stroller, walking 45 minutes instead of 30 -- helps you lose pounds faster than a saunter through the park. But you know that. The challenge is doing it. Betcha these four surprising steps will help:

1. Unless the weather's impossible, walk outside. You'll feel energized -- and even happier. Outdoor light bumps up the flow of mood-lifting serotonin in your brain. If it's chilly, you'll move faster to get warm. If it's sunny, the fresh air will put a little bounce in your step.

Related: That serotonin boost in your brain may help you eat less, too. Here's how.

2. Go to bed earlier. Instead of staying up late texting or playing just one more game of Angry Birds, shut down the electronics, and hit the sack at a sane time. Waking up well rested helps you get out the door to

Desire is a delicate thing. Whether it's your 5th date or your 5th anniversary, it's easy to do or say something that makes that spark between you fizzle faster than uncorked champagne on a hot beach.

In fact, there can be so many passion pitfalls on the way to love, it's sometimes a wonder the planet manages to reproduce at all. But if you avoid some of the most common desire deal-breakers, you can get that lovin' feeling back on track.

1. Don't abuse this erotic organ. We're talking about your scent-sitive nose. If your breath is as pungent as day-old gym socks, whispering sweet nothings in your lover's ear is not going to produce the desired effect.

Out for a romantic meal? The best bad-breath preventive is to avoid garlic all day, not just at dinner. Almost nothing can mask garlic breath. If you can't brush and floss after a meal, drink plenty of water during it to wash away the food bits that attract bacteria. Then, munch on that parsley garnish, or have an

Will your lover love you the morning after? We mean the morning after February 14. Champagne truffles may be impressive, but you know your sweetie's trying to lose 10 pounds. No need to give your adored one a killer case of dieter's remorse when these zero-calorie treats are one click away.

1. Shower your sweetie with kisses. Chocolate ones, that is. The couple that showers together . . . well, you know how that goes. Gift yourselves with Philosophy's candy-scented Chewy Chocolate Lollipop Shower Gel and a home-alone night to enjoy it. Delish. About $16.

2. Talk about kissable! Give your loved one deliciously soft lips with a chocolate-flavored balm: Ganache for Lips (about $4 a stick). Made with gourmet Scharffen Berger chocolate, each creamy tube is loaded with uber-moisturizing ingredients: shea butter, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E. More tempted by truffles? Try the Ganache for Lips Chocolat Parfait Collection with Chocolate Hazelnut, Vanilla Mousse, Chocolate Mint

Got $36.32 to spend on food per person per day? We didn't think so. But that's what researchers recently figured you'd have to spend to eat really, really healthfully. No way. At least not if you put these budget-friendly strategies to work when you hit the grocery store:

Never shop hungry. It's not a myth. Hunger activates the part of your brain that responds like Pavlov's dog to tempting pictures and descriptions of food. That's why a stroll down the cookie aisle lands all those sweets in your cart when you shop just before dinner!

Plunk down cold, hard cash, not plastic. You'll make 30% fewer unhealthful impulse buys at the grocery store. (Look! MoonPies!) Ah, the power of green stuff -- the kind you keep in your wallet!

Related: The Hidden Cost of "Get One Free" Foods

Think local and seasonal. You can save big-time bucks buying squash in winter and cherries in summer (instead of vice versa), especially if you buy locally grown produce. Seasonal isn't possible

There's never a good time to get sick, so use these simple science-backed strategies to help keep you from catching whatever's going around -- or minimize your symptoms if it's already too late:

1. Garlic: Allicin, a substance found in raw garlic (but not cooked), has been linked to fewer and shorter colds. You'll need to eat it though, not wear it around your neck. Get your garlic fix with these super-easy recipes for Mint Pesto, Tzatziki Dip, Cucumber Raita, or Raw Tomato Sauce -- perfect for a quick pasta dinner.
   
   Related: 6 Foods to Fight Garlic Breath
2. Zinc: Zinc's been shown to shorten the length of a cold and reduce symptoms, but there's a catch . . . well, two catches: First, you have to dose up right at the start of your cold -- within 24 hours. And second, too much zinc can be toxic, so if you're taking a supplement, stick to 15 milligrams a day. If you prefer to eat your minerals, check out these top food sources of zinc.
   
   Related: Zinc: Miracle

Ever look back on an episode of high anxiety and wonder why on earth you got so upset, anxious, exasperated, overwhelmed, or just plain freaked? Time defuses most crises, but why wait hours or days for that sigh of relief?

Here are five on-the-spot stress stoppers that suck the hot air right out of high-pressure moments. Next time you think you're going to burst into tears (even crocodile ones), lean on your car horn like a New York cabbie, or say something you know you'll regret, try one of these moves instead:

• Take a deep, belly-expanding slow breath while counting to five. Then, breathe out to a count of seven, pulling your tummy in as you exhale. You can do this anytime, anywhere, and no one will notice.
  
  Related: Learn what a little deep breathing can do for you.
  
• Chew gum. It seems to affect something called the vagus nerve, which aids relaxation. Besides, chewing gum is much better than gritting your teeth. Keep a pack in your car in case of traffic jams.

Your 2-year-old has tossed her spaghetti on the rug and is shrieking "Mean Mommy!" Your 5-year-old is trying to ride the dog like a horse. And . . . uh-oh . . . so is your 7-year-old. Time for some effective discipline. The kind that teaches kids important lessons about behavior, boundaries, who's in charge (you), and how to calm down. Time-outs are one of the most effective and popular ways to do this. In fact, up to 70% of parents use them. The drawback is that there are almost as many ways to mess up a time-out as there are ways to make it work. (Hint: Shouting at your toddler won't help.)

Here are five smart ways to make time-outs work and three things that make them backfire. (It may help to pinpoint your parenting style with this quiz so you can apply this advice in a way that suits your style.)

1. Make it borrrring. Bedrooms and playrooms are too fun for time-outs. A chair in the dining room, living room, or hallway -- wherever you can keep an eye on your child --

Help or Hype? Can Putting Vitamins on Your Skin Turn Back the Clock?

Serums, lotions, and creams now come filled with more vitamins than your daily multi has, and often at a gazillion times the price. Can putting these nutrients on your skin rather than in it really turn back time, repair sun damage, and defend against the sun, or are those claims just empty promises? We checked the latest research on what vitamins really help, what claims are mostly hype, and what the bottom line is. Here's a rundown of the big 3: vitamins A, C, and E.

Related: Here's more on how these vitamins give your skin a youthful glow.

Vitamin A

HELP: There's evidence that prescription-strength retinoids, a form of vitamin A, work more wonders on your skin than Johnny Depp has fans. Topical vitamin A is the closest science has come to a miracle in a jar. Retinoids can double production of skin-firming collagen, reduce fine wrinkles, smooth rough areas, and lighten pigmented spots and blotches.

HYPE: There's far less proof that nonprescription forms of