Train Your Body

Many popular breakfast foods and drinks for children contain so much added sugar, it can be the equivalent of eating dessert for your "most important meal of the day."For example, "juice" drinks commonly contain as much sugar as soda, as do breakfast cereals that contain marshmallows and chocolate.Even foods that are advertised as whole grains can contain lots of sugar, so it's difficult to make smart choices. The sugar trap doesn't just affect kids... many favorite breakfast foods among adults (think mocha-caramel frapuccinos and donuts) are really milkshakes and cake in disguise.Even the popular flavored yogurts that are supposed to be so healthy have the sugar equivalent of frozen yogurt. Some even come with toppings, too. So, how can you identify the foods that are just as bad as candy and soda?Brian Parr, PhD, joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share the misleading healthy foods you might be eating and how you can create a healthy start to your day.

Social support is an under-appreciated key to successfully losing weight or adopting an exercise program. Having supportive family, friends, and co-workers is a sort of "secret weapon."All too often, however, people trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle encounter a lack of support that ranges from others simply not being helpful to individuals interfering, consciously or unconsciously, with the behavior change. In some cases, it can feel like sabotage. Remarkably, this can come from the people you would least expect: family members and friends.Learning to deal with these "frenemies" is essential to success.Listen in as Brian Parr, PhD, shares why social support is crucial for losing weight, as well as specific ideas for developing supportive relationships.

Distractions such as cell phones and TV's can keep your workout at a lower intensity.Your exercise doesn't have to end when you leave the gym.Walking instead of driving is a way to keep moving after your work out.Michele Stanten, a walking coach (mywalkingcoach.com) and ACE-certified fitness instructor, discusses distractions while you exercise and the best ways to aid your fitness even when you're not at the gym.

When choosing your exercise instructor do you take gender into account?Qualifications aside, choosing the gender of your instructor(s) should be based on your comfort level.With instructors often having intimate access to your body, this decision is an important one.On this week's installment of "He Said, She Said," Neal Pire and Grace DeSimone help you make this all-important decision so your workout experience can be as comfortable as possible.

As a leader in sports medicine and exercise science, ACSM uses its research expertise to provide the 2015 American Fitness Index report as a reliable measure of community fitness for the country’s 50 largest metropolitan areas.Cities that ranked near the top of the index have more strengths that support healthy living and fewer challenges that hinder it. The opposite is true for cities near the bottom of the index.In this segment (Part 2 of 2), Walter R. Thompson, PhD, discusses the 2015 American Fitness Index Report and what it means to you.

As a leader in sports medicine and exercise science, ACSM uses its research expertise to provide the 2015 American Fitness Index report as a reliable measure of community fitness for the country’s 50 largest metropolitan areas.Cities that ranked near the top of the index have more strengths that support healthy living and fewer challenges that hinder it. The opposite is true for cities near the bottom of the index.Walter R. Thompson, PhD, discusses the 2015 American Fitness Index Report and why it's important for you and your family members.Click HERE to listen to Part 2 of the interview.

If you're a runner, you've probably suffered from shin splint or cramps. They can be painful, but fortunately, there are ways to prevent them from occurring. Shin splints and cramps are a few running-related injuries that, with proper equipment and training, can be avoided.But, if you do get them, what can you do to relieve the pain as quick as possible?Hydration is the best and most important way to begin.Stretching before running and using proper equipment goes a long way in avoiding injuries in the first place.Jordan D. Metzl, MD, discusses the best ways to avoid running injuries, including cramps and shin splints.

Your body is a kinetic chain of bones, muscles, joints, and tendons. Running with a single weak link causes physical imbalance and ultimately leads to injury.But, you can strength train your entire body to improve your running mechanics and reduce your chances of getting hurt.Jordan D. Metzl, MD, discusses running safety, whether you're a weekend jogger or a dedicated marathoner.

If you’re looking to be more proactive about your health and fitness, “there’s an app for that” rings true for you.Some experts argue that health apps have the potential to make a broad impact on the health of the general population. But, others explain that there's not enough evidence to support such claims and suggest that health apps may even be harmful.John P. Higgins, MD, discusses health and fitness apps and whether they're good or bad for people who are already healthy.

It's been proven, time and time again: eating healthy and exercising regularly will help you lose weight.But, which exercises are the best to help you achieve weight loss success, while losing the weight safely?Right off the bat, walking is the number-one exercise for weight loss. It doesn't require any equipment (other than a pair of walking shoes), and there's no need for a gym membership to do it.Vigorous swimming can burn anywhere from 400 to 700 calories an hour, and all types of swimming are effective for helping you shed pounds.These are just a few of the great exercises John P. Higgins, MD, discusses in order to help you lose weight the right way.

Sports participation has been a tool of public health for more than a century. But today, most kids miss out. The problem disproportionately affects some groups of kids, starting during the grade-school years.Tom Farrey joins host Melanie Cole to discuss the best ways to get all children involved in physical activities.

Some children find ways to play on their own. But, the eras of the sandlot and unstructured play -- and of kids making up games and playing with friends for hours on end -- are largely gone.American sports lack a commitment to inclusion and are shaped by money; leaving many children, families, and communities on the outside looking in.Tom Farrey discusses the best ways for parents to get ALL children involved in sporting activities.

You see and hear miracle weight loss tactics touted by celebrities, but are they really realistic for YOU?When it comes to losing weight and getting fit, there are a wide range of behaviors that people can engage in. And, more importantly, there is no “right way” to be successful.Brian Parr, PhD, discusses the best ways for the "everyday" man or woman to get in shape and lose weight. He also shares some inspiring success stories.

Is your work place conducting a weight loss challenge? Are they trying to be like the biggest loser? You may think this is a great way to get motivated. But, could it lead to unachievable goals and ultimately de-motivate people?To lose weight and keep it off, you must keep things in perspective. You did not gain the weight quickly, and you should not plan to lose it quickly.While the promise of quick weight loss is enticing, dieters who lose weight quickly on a severe diet inevitably regain the weight.Whether you're losing weight for a competition, or you need to "make weight" for an event, you must consider how you're going to lose that weight AND keep it off. Brian Parr, PhD, discusses quick weight loss and its lasting (or rather, non-lasting) effects.

Research tells us that kids benefit mentally and emotionally by playing sports.But, should there be a limit to the different sports your child takes on at one time?There are many things to consider when letting your child play multiple sports, including: School studies: are they able to keep up their grades? Your time: are you driving them around from one place to the next regularly? The cost: sports equipment costs can add up quickly. Your child's health: are they able to take on all those sports and stay injury free? Michael F. Bergeron, PhD discusses the best ways to deal with your child playing multiple sports.

While children have traditionally been encouraged to participate in aerobic activities such as swimming and bicycling, a compelling body of evidence indicates that strength training can also be a safe and effective method of exercise for children, provided that appropriate guidelines are followed.The risks associated with strength training are not greater than other sports and activities in which children regularly participate. However, the key is to provide qualified supervision, age-specific instruction and a safe training environment. As in many sports, accidents can happen if children do not follow established training guidelines.Strength training is a specialized method of conditioning that requires qualified supervision, appropriate overload, gradual progression, and adequate recovery between exercise sessions.Michael F. Bergeron, PhD, discusses childhood weight training and the best ways to keep your child safe while training.

Whether your choice is Led Zeppelin or Dolly Parton, music can really pump up your workout.Music has the ability to get you moving. Research shows it can play an important part in keeping you motivated and energized during your workout.John P. Higgins, MD, joins host Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how your favorite music can help boost your workout.Some of Melanie's favorite songs are: Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the WavesFeeling Stronger Every Day by ChicagoJump by Van HalenBurning Down the House by The Talking HeadsScarlette Begonias by The Grateful DeadSome of Dr. John's favorite artists are:Bruno MarsMaroon 5Iggy AzaleaEd SheeranWalk the MoonWhatever your favorites are, put 'em on, turn 'em up and get moving.

Many of us spend hours upon hours working at desks with computers, causing you to be stiff and tired from sitting all day.But now, there's a way to combat your work fatigue.Treadmill desks could be the answer for you. John P. Higgins, MD, discusses this new way of keeping fit while working at your desk or work station.

When you were in your 30's, you may have lifted weights and used all the equipment in the gym. But, your now in your 50's, you might find some of those exercises more difficult.Should you even be doing the same exercises you did when you were younger?Michele Stanten, a walking coach and ACE-certified fitness instructor, discusses your workout and how it might change as you get on in years.

Do you exercise regularly but your mate doesn't share your enthusiasm?While trying to get them to work out, you could be losing some of your precious exercise time.So, just how can you get them to enjoy fitness activities the same as you?MIchele Stanten, a walking coach and ACE-certified fitness instructor, discusses how you can get your mate to exercise, without sacrificing your own time.