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.

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Fitting walking into your life is easy if you have the proper attitude and make a commitment to exercise. Walking is an exercise routine that you can base on your terms, such as location and duration. Learn about fitting walking into your life.

By Tommy Boone

Walking accessories mostly focus on a good pair of walking shoes, but you can also buy pedometers and reflective gear. A proper set of shoes can protect you from any sort of physical discomfort you might feel. Learn about walking accessories.

By Tommy Boone

Walking is an easy and convenient way to lose weight. It's a great way for you to burn fat without robbing your body of essential nutrients. Learn the health benefits of walking and increase your fitness one step at a time.

By Tommy Boone

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The health benefits of walking include a reduced risk of disease, improved sleep, increased energy, and more. It also helps strengthen muscles and bones, which lowers the risk of osteoporosis.

By Tommy Boone

Take the right steps before you begin walking for fitness. Before you start any exercise routine it is important to assess your overall health. This article explains how to assess your health, find your target heart rate, and more.

By Tommy Boone

Learning how to racewalk can boost your overall fitness. Racewalking is beneficial because it involves a higher rate of muscle activity than jogging alone. This articles discusses the advantages of racewalking, proper form and technique, and safety.

By Tommy Boone

Walking injuries can usually be avoided with proper conditioning. Minor aches and pains are common because you're asking your body to do things it has not done in a while. Learn about common walking injuries, their causes, and helpful prevention tips.

By Tommy Boone

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I've read your article on dieting, but there's one thing in it I don't understand. It says, "Once you end a diet, you gain all the weight back very quickly." Why is that? Why does the weight come back so quickly?

Calories -- people are constantly counting them and cutting them. At any given time, millions of people are trying to slim down. Learn all about calories and exactly how (and why) they affect your weight.

By Julia Layton

The number on the scale alone can't tell you whether you're at a healthy weight. Because height is also a factor, scientists came up with a mathematical formula called Body Mass Index (BMI). Learn how to calculate your BMI.

By Stephanie Wilson

Dieting is a multibillion dollar industry in the United States, but it doesn't work for most people. The story tends to stay the same -- lose 20 pounds, gain back 30. But there are healthy, effective ways to lose weight. Find out why most diets fail and what you can do to make yours work.

By Marshall Brain

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You don't always have to go to the gym to burn calories because the activities you do every day can help with weight loss. Read our list of 20 activities and the calories they burn.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Some activities burn more calories than others, so knowing which activities burn the most calories in the shortest time can be helpful to those with busy schedules. Read our list to learn which activities burn the most calories.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

About 65 percent of Americans are either obese or overweight, and the CDC has classified obesity as an epidemic, yet recent studies have shown that obese people with chronic diseases have a better chance of survival than normal-weight individuals do.

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

Back strengthening exercises define back muscles and help prevent back injury. Develop a stronger back with these exercise instructions and photos.

By Lottie Olson

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Try these biceps exercises to tone and strengthen your upper arms. This article has step-by-step directions and helpful photos for each exercise.

By Lottie Olson

Chest exercises like the press and fly build and tone your chest muscles. Learn how to do several chest exercises with these illustrated directions.

By Lottie Olson

Triceps exercises strengthen and tone the muscles in the back of the upper arms. Get step-by-step directions and photos for several triceps exercises.

By Lottie Olson

Strengthen your core with these abdominal and lower back exercises. Our illustrated instructions guide you through each exercise, step by step.

By Lottie Olson

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Glutes exercises strengthen and tone your glutes, or butt. These illustrated instructions show you how to do several glutes exercises.

By Lottie Olson

Try these shoulder exercises to tone and strengthen your shoulders. This article has step-by-step directions and helpful photos for each exercise.

By Lottie Olson

Regular physical activity can improve heart health, strength, and endurance. Explore the many other mental and physical benefits of exercise.

By Adrienne Forman

A sensible diet and regular exercise are essential components of any successful weight loss plan. Learn helpful tips for cutting calories, making smarter food choices, and increasing your physical activity to help you lose weight.

By Gayle A. Alleman