During the middle of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are cold, dark and short. It’s not an inspiring time to accomplish much of anything, much less those New Year’s resolutions that so motivated you back on December 31. Early backsliders may have already called it quits. Twenty-eight percent of people who make resolutions have dropped at least some of them by the end of January, and 13% report they have dropped them all, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center sur

You’ve probably heard the good news about frequent walking: less stress, lower blood pressure, and better blood sugar. But there are additional health benefits that don’t get as many headlines. “Walking is a highly underrated exercise,” says Layne Nordquist, C.P.T., an area director and master trainer at VASA Fitness in Denver. In fact, any amount of walking — even five minutes—can give you a health boost, according to the latest fitness guidelines. That’s especially good new

Some 25 percent of older adults fall at least once every year. In 2023, more than 41,000 people in the U.S. over age 65 died from one, according to a June 2025 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report also found that the death rate for falls in people ages 85 and older in the U.S. doubled between 2003 and 2023. A growing aging population increases the numbers. But there are other factors. For instance, people in this age range may have become mo

Interested in boosting your longevity? All you may have to do is vary your exercise. Switching between activities such as walking, swimming, yoga, gardening and pickleball could result in a whopping 19% decrease in your chance of death from all causes, according to recent research. “A 19% decrease is a big deal,” said Dr. James Voos, chief of orthopedics at University Hospitals in Cleveland, who was not involved in the study. “When you look at the literature, anything that ha

Protein is at the top of everyone’s minds right now. And while you may be trying to load your plate with protein-rich foods, like chicken , cottage cheese, tofu or eggs, beverages can also supply a good dose of this muscle-building macro . When drinking your protein, you may be tempted to turn to protein powder. While protein shakes can be a healthy and helpful tool to meet your nutritional needs when you're short on time, most experts recommend eating whole foods as much a

When people think about building strength, they likely picture lifting weights or taking a high-intensity exercise class. Walking is often dismissed as “just cardio” or something you do to reach your step count or get some fresh air. But walking acts as far more than a calorie-burning activity. It’s one of your body’s most fundamental movement patterns. How you walk affects pelvic alignment, core stability, hip mobility, balance, breathing and even how your nervous system reg

Weighted vests add resistance to everyday movement, helping turn activities like walking or bodyweight exercises into a more challenging workout. But like any fitness tool, they’re not for everyone, and they should be used carefully. Let’s break down what weighted vests are, their potential benefits, and what to consider before trying one. What is a weighted vest? A weighted vest is exactly what it sounds like: a vest worn over your clothing that contains evenly distributed w

Belly Fat: More Than Skin Deep One fact about stomach fat you should know is this: It's not just that squishy layer right under your skin -- the kind you grab to see if you can "pinch an inch." Visceral fat is the name for the kind that lies deep in your torso. It packs around your intestines, liver, and stomach. It can also line your arteries. And it can be risky for your health. But you don't need special diets or exercises to lose it -- just healthy habits. What Are the He

Have Breakfast It's important for a bunch of reasons. It jump-starts your metabolism and stops you from overeating later. Plus, studies show that adults who have a healthy breakfast do better at work, and kids who eat a morning meal score higher on tests. If a big plateful first thing isn't for you, keep it light with a granola bar or a piece of fruit. Just don't skip it. Plan Your Meals It'll help you save time and money in the long run. Block out some time, then sit down an

People in the United States are obsessed with dieting and body size. That may be due to the fact that 40.3% of adults have obesity today, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The weight loss industry likely contributes to these twin obsessions, as the global weight loss and diet management market size was worth about $143 billion in 2022, and is projected to soar to roughly $299 billion by 2030. And with more than 15 million Americans now losing wei

Breast changes in men are common. Sometimes it’s fat. Sometimes it’s breast tissue growth. Rarely, it’s cancer. A concern male patients bring up in my office — sometimes joking, sometimes with embarrassment — is “man boobs.” For some men, chest enlargement is simply fat. For others, it’s gynecomastia, the medical term for breast tissue growth. In many cases, it’s both fat and tissue growth at the same time. Gynecomastia is more common than many people realize. Research sugges

As the air turns crisp and the leaves change colors, it’s the perfect time to enjoy fall activities for exercise. The best part? You don’t always need a gym or structured workout to stay active. Everyday seasonal activities can double as fitness, helping you strengthen muscles, boost endurance, and burn calories — all while soaking in the beauty of autumn and getting some fresh air. Here are some of the best fall activities for exercise that combine fun and fitness: 1.Raking

The average time it takes a person to walk one mile typically ranges from 15 to 22 minutes. This estimate is assuming that someone is walking at a moderate pace and on a relatively flat surface. For example, an experienced walker or hiker on a flat trail might complete a mile in under 15 minutes, while someone new to exercise or walking on an incline might take closer to, or even longer than, 22 minutes. Learn the factors at play that affect how fast you can walk a mile — pl

For many years, body mass index (BMI) has been used as a measure of overweight and obesity. Because several cancers are linked to excess weight, physicians use BMI to help them assess a person’s cancer risk. Now, however, a study proposes that BMI may be too crude a measure for assessing cancer risk. It suggests that where excess fat is carried on the body may be equally important in increasing or decreasing a person’s risk of developing several types of cancers. The study,

As the days get cooler and the leaves start to change, there’s no better time to lace up your sneakers and head outside. Walking is one of the simplest — and most effective — ways to boost your health, improve your mood, and enjoy the season. If you’ve been thinking about starting a walking routine or even working toward a 5K (3.1 miles), you don’t need to go from the couch to long-distance walking overnight. With the right plan, you can build up incrementally and discover th

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