There are many people like you and me, interested in fitness and willing to make the commitment to exercise, but then there is the other side of the spectrum, where people don't mind sitting all day long. We all have friends just like that. What if you could be the influence that caused one of those friends to add exercise to their schedule, to begin to lead a healthier life? I'll call my friend Joe. He tried track one season but ended up in physical therapy (from problems caused by it) with a severe distaste for running, understandably. About a...

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A recent article in the Boston Globe re-sparked my interest in the benefits of running barefoot. On January 28th, 2010,  new research was published about the study of running barefoot that is being led by Harvard scientists. This research showed that people who run with minimal shoes or barefoot usually land on their feet, so as to avoid any jarring impact. Most runners who wear shoes land on their heel first and then roll to their toes because that is what is usually advised. It turns out that this crashing movement is actually very unhealthy for your body. As Daniel E....

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I'm a huge fan of working out at home.  Ten minute workouts here and there have kept me in shape for years, when gym time was not feasible.  This article will pull two exercises from my martial arts days to build up your quads and glutes.  In other words..."da butt." Both exercises can be done without ever taking your eyes off of the TV.  In fact, I would recommend doing the second one while watching the tube to keep your mind off of the pain.  Now, to get started. This first exercise builds the quads, hamstrings and even your calves.  Take your...

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Chin-ups are an awesome upper body workout and one of the best exercises to build upper back muscles.  Couple chin-ups with a good push-up plan, and you soon will be selling tickets to the gun show! I was very excited to get a chin-up bar for Christmas.  I had one in my bedroom door as a child and did 3 reps every time I entered or left the room.  I have wanted another one for awhile but never felt super-motivated to get one. This time I have some more muscle knowledge and have created a daily ten minute workout for the...

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Note: Hemoglobin is the iron-containing part of our red blood cells that helps carry oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our body. The words iron and hemoglobin will be used interchangeably throughout this article because low hemoglobin levels are concomitant with low iron levels. I have tried to donate blood twice in the past year but was denied both times because my hemoglobin level was below the allowed range. While my iron level was below the accepted amount, it was not necessarily a cause for concern. It is not uncommon for female donors to be turned away for this reason....

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