Boost Your Health Now
By Abigail Cuffey
Easy Fixes
Flip through for a simple (but effective) shape-up shortcut, the best kind of toothbrush, energy-enhancing snack suggestions and why your joints creak. Photo credit: Thinkstock
Beginner's Burpee
This exercise-called a burpee-goes from a push-up to a standing jump, so it's a great multitasker, working your arms, shoulders, chest, back, core and lower body, says Leigh Crews, spokeswoman for the American Council on Exercise, and a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor in Cedar Bluff, AL. If that sounds a little too intense, you can make the move easier and still reap the benefits. Photo credit: Shannon Greer/Woman's Day
DO 2 SETS OF 10:
A. Stand in front of a table or counter up to 3 feet high. Bend over and place your hands on the top of the ledge, then step your feet back one at a time so your torso forms a straight line. Do a push-up.
B. Walk your feet back in, stand up and raise your arms over your head.
BUMP UP THE BURN:
Add a jump when you return to standing, or use a lower surface-like a bench-for your push-up.
Maximize your workout with 4 easy steps.
The Truth About Your Toothbrush
Ditch the medium and hard-bristled brushes. "The harder the brush, the more damage you cause to your teeth," says Catrise Austin, DDS, a dentist in New York City. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are just as good at removing the cavity-causing plaque that can lead to tooth decay, but aren't as harsh on your enamel. Photo credit: Shuttershock
Get 10 tips for whiter teeth.
3 P.M. Slump? Pick Protein
A new study from the University of Cambridge found that protein-not sugar-activates the brain cells that keep you alert and burn calories. Try one of these afternoon snack ideas from Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD, author of Read It Before You Eat It. Photo credit: Shuttershock
Shown:
Thawed frozen raspberries + ½ cup Greek yogurt + 2 Tbsp high-fiber cereal
Other Ideas:
1) Toasted whole-grain waffle + 3 Tbsp cottage cheese + Sprinkle of cinnamon
2)Packet of instant oatmeal+1 Tbsp almond butter
Chill out with these stress-fighting foods.
Is It OK If...my joints make a popping noise when i get out of bed in the morning?
Don't worry-it's actually very common. Sleeping in the same position all night puts pressure on your bones and causes the tendons around your joints to contract. The sound can either be that pressure releasing or your joints snapping against the bone as you start to move. But if you feel pain along with the popping (especially when climbing stairs or squatting) that lasts most of the day, see an orthopedist. It could be a sign of an injury or early arthritis. Stretching to stay flexible and daily, low-impact exercise like walking or swimming are the best ways to avoid long-term problems. Photo credit: Thinkstock
See the easiest solutions for 11 health problems.
SOURCE: Scott Levin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Somers Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Group, Mount Kisco, NY
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
You Might Also Like:
50 Foods Under 100 Calories
20 Ways to Burn More Fat
Our Best Fitness Tips
8 Sexy Ways to Burn Calories
10 Foolproof Ways to Get in the Mood
