Diet and Fitness

HowStuffWorks offers guidance for developing an exercise routine that will help you get in shape and stay healthy. Learn about diet and fitness and get tips from professional trainers.

Learn More / Page 3

For women, weight lifting can be as important as aerobic exercise. Learn valuable women's weight lifting exercises using our illustrated instructions.

By Lottie Olson

Though the USDA Dietary Guidelines focus on food items, it also stresses daily exercise. The government has put physical activity on par with nutrition for achieving a healthy lifestyle. Learn about the USDA exercise guidelines.

By Peggy Norwood

Drs. Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen show you how to restock your pantry, get moving and reduce your waistline in 14 days.

By Maria Trimarchi

Advertisement

With 75 to 85 percent of Americans now overweight or obese, the LA Weight Loss plan has garnered attention both for its positive results -- and criticism.

By Kevin P. Allen

In the midst of an obesity epidemic, it may seem like all things thin are in. Though we may think super skinny people are lucky, they face health problems of their own.

By Molly Edmonds

When it comes to weight loss, burn more calories than you consume. At 1,100 daily calories, you're almost guaranteed to lose weight if you follow the Smart for Life plan.

By Brion O'Connor

The renowned medical organization staked its name on it, so what's up with the Mayo Clinic Diet? Can you really lose 6 to 10 pounds in a week on the plan?

By Tom Scheve

Advertisement

If you want the P90X body, you have to follow the P90X workout -- and Diet. So what will you be eating?

By Tom Scheve

You've probably heard the stats: We, as a society, are becoming less healthy -- some are too heavy while others are too skinny. How do you find your healthy body weight?

By Kevin P. Allen

The hCG diet costs around $150 per doctor's appointment, not including the cost of the hCG injections and the recommended appetite suppressants. Learn how much the hCG diet costs in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

It seems almost everybody would like to lose some weight, and fad diets offer quick solutions and plenty of promises. But will the results last over time? Here, 10 diets that just don't work.

By Robynne Boyd

Advertisement

Yoga helps combat the effects of stress, fatigue and pain for people of all ages, and in seniors it can improve core strength and balance, reducing the risk of fall-related injuries. Which exercises are best for seniors' health?

By Jill Jaracz

If your workplace has an on-site gym, there may be a block of time that's scheduled for exercise. The rest of us have to squeeze in the jumping jacks, crunches and curls whenever we can. So what's the best time of day for an office workout?

By Tom Scheve

A long day at the office leaves little time for exercising. But what if you could squeeze in a workout during your office routine -- without any of your coworkers asking, "What're you doing?" We've got a list of exercises that just fit the bill.

By Jodie Schneider

As hunter-gatherers, our very survival depended on physical fitness. While plenty of jobs still require physical exertion, most of us now use technology to do the heavy lifting. So what are some quick exercises we can do in the office to stay fit?

By Carol White

Advertisement

When it comes to working out, there's no shortage of excuses to avoid becoming active. But thanks to these five tips, being a sweaty mess for the rest of the day is no longer one of them.

By Jennifer Sellers

Every occupation takes its toll on your long-suffering tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. Whether you're a mechanic or an economist, a small on-the-job workout can help alleviate those aches and pains. All it takes is 15 minutes -- no dumbbells, yoga mat or resistance band required.

By Katie Lambert

Exercise may be the best form of low-cost health care anyone could wish for -- it can help you keep the weight off and cut the chances for cancer, stroke or heart attack. But what if you're too busy? We've got five exercises you can do without leaving your desk.

By Elizabeth Sprouse

If you sit in a desk chair for eight hours a day, there's a good chance you could use a little exercise to fire up your metabolism and engage your core muscle group. Here, five ways to work your abs while you're still on the job.

By Brion O'Connor

Advertisement

Strength training offers many benefits, including increasing bone density and building muscle. That's why the USDA Dietary Guidelines stress the importance of resistance training. Learn more about the USDA strength training guidelines.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Practiced for centuries in China, tai chi has evolved into a system of about 100 movements to circulate chi, the body's internal energy. Learn how you can incorporate tai chi in your fitness routine.

By DiscoveryHealth.com writers

Find out what constitutes an optimal diet as nutrition expert and cancer-prevention specialist Moshe Shike, M.D. answers common questions about healthy nutrition.

By DiscoveryHealth.com writers

Find out why so many Americans are obese as Michael Cala interviews nutrition expert and cancer-prevention specialist Moshe Shike, M.D., and learn what people can do to reverse the obesity trend.

By DiscoveryHealth.com writers

Advertisement

Krav Maga is a self-defense system developed for the Israeli Defense Forces, and it's becoming a popular option for women who want to increase muscle definition and mind/body coordination. Learn about using Krav Maga for fitness.

You have to do housework, right? So why not get your body in shape at the same time? Try doing these exercises while you're cleaning the house.

By DiscoveryHealth.com writers