Mayo Clinic Q&A: Can I Exercise When I Am Sick?

Exercise When Sick, Chicago Health Magazine Online

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Can I continue to exercise even if I don’t feel well, or should I hold off until I start to feel better? ANSWER: The answer to that question depends largely on what’s wrong. For example, if you have symptoms of the common cold, it’s usually fine to keep exercising. It may even […]

Fitness Classes Create Connection During Pandemic

Studio Three fitness class outdoors

Fitness instructor Courtney Aronson couldn’t believe her eyes. On a chilly day on the cusp of winter, Aronson watched as 24 of her students gathered at Studio Three’s outdoor exercise facility in Lincoln Park for a full-body workout class. Bundled up in outdoor gear, her students took their socially distant place on the turf and […]

Straight Talk on Planking

Plank, Chicago Health Magazine Online

The best exercise I do only takes a minute. Granted, it is often the longest and most grueling 60 seconds of my life. I sweat, I shake and I often collapse in relief when it’s over. But spending quality time in a plank pose always pays off. The plank pose is where you hold a […]

Can Exercise Help Treat Anxiety?

Exercise, Chicago Health Magazine Online

Chances are good that you, or someone you know, is dealing with anxiety. One in 5 Americans over 18, and 1 in 3 teenagers 13 to 18, reported having a chronic anxiety disorder during the past year. And when I talk to college students, they’re not at all surprised that a whopping 63% of students […]

Make Walking Part of Your Routine

Walking Routine, Chicago Health Magazine Online

There are days when just the thought of leaving the house seems like a huge effort. Days when you don’t feel like getting off the couch, never mind going to the gym. But guess what — if you got out of bed this morning, you jump-started your fitness routine just by walking down the hall […]

4 Natural Ways to Maintain Brain Health

Improving brain health: image of man in black shirt reading red book.

The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I keep reading about disappointing drug trials to help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease. What else can I do to reduce my risk and improve my brain health? A: A few decades ago, the state of our brain was believed to be beyond our control. Conventional wisdom […]

Spinning: Good for the heart and muscles, gentle on joints

Line of women working out in outdoor spinning class

Harvard Health Blog As part of my 2018 fitness goals, I resolved to spend two days a week in what I playfully call “the pain cave.” No, it’s not a setting for “Game of Thrones,” but one of the most challenging (and rewarding) workouts I have ever tried: spinning, also known as indoor cycling. Spinning […]

3 Health Benefits of Yoga

Health benefits of yoga: Woman standing on hill overlooking sunset an doing "tree" yoga pose.

Yoga has gotten to be a popular activity with people of all ages — perhaps because it leaves you with a such a good feeling after you practice it. (Who doesn’t love ending a workout session flat on your back with your eyes closed?) But it can do more than bliss you out after a […]

Power training not only for athletes

Power training: shot from behind of young woman with ponytail holding barbell on her shoulders.

The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: In addition to walking most days, I do resistance training with weights twice per week. I recently heard the term power training. How does it differ from strength training? A: Strength training using free weights, machines or resistance bands helps maintain and even build muscle mass. In […]

To exercise more, get your game on

To exercise more, make a game of it. Image shows people running outside in a competitive race.

Harvard Health Blog Does exercise sometimes feel like an annoying chore? Adding a little friendly competition and other “gamification” strategies just might help you exercise more, according to a recent study. The six-month-long study included 94 families who tracked their daily step counts with a wearable device or a smartphone. Just over half of the […]

Exercise safely in winter weather

Winter exercise: shot from behind of woman in puffy coat, hat, and fitness tracker getting ready to workout outside in cold weather

Your exercise routine doesn’t have to go into hibernation in the winter. Winter exercise is beneficial for almost anyone, provided you have the right gear and are wearing the right clothes. Whether you’re snowshoeing, skiing or hiking, make sure you’re ready for whatever winter weather throws your way. Wear the right clothing Extreme mountain climber […]

Is ibuprofen before exercise risky?

Bottle of ibuprofen open and on side on table with pills spilling out

Q: I often take a couple of over-the-counter ibuprofen before I go out for a jog to help the muscle aches afterward. I usually run for 45 minutes to one hour. Is there any danger? A: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, generics) is one of the many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) primarily to reduce pain. These drugs […]

Take a hike for better health

Shot from behind of man taking a hike on a trail and wearing a backpack

You don’t need to summit Mount Everest to net the many benefits of hiking. Even a moderate one-hour hike can burn around 400 calories, all while sculpting your core and lower body. And as the elevation goes up, so do the benefits. Find a trail near you at www.hikingproject.com, which features GPS and elevation data […]

Exercise helps aging brain stay young

Man running on road. Exercise helps keep brain young.

The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: Over the last year, I sometimes forget things. I am 66 but I always have had a great memory. What can I do to avoid becoming more forgetful? A: Most of us have had firsthand experience with memory lapses. We find ourselves flustered trying to recall a […]

Make strength training part of your exercise routine

Neck down shot of woman at gym reaching for dumbbell on rack.

Q: I walk for at least 45 minutes every day. Recently I read that strength training may be more important for overall health. Should I change my routine? A: I wouldn’t say that strength training with weights or machines provides more health benefits than brisk walking or other aerobic exercise. But for too long, strength […]

Healthy eating and exercise strategies to take on the road

Healthy eating and exercise strategies

One of the pleasures (and perils) of travel is depending on your meals being prepared by someone else, and a pretty unavoidable change in your exercise routine. That can be part of the joy of the experience — you never know what’s next, so it’s always a surprise! — but it can also derail the […]

4 easy tips to help you walk 10,000 steps every day

10000 steps a day

Walking is one of the easiest and best activities for losing weight and staying fit. To get the most benefit, some organizations recommend that you aim to take 10,000 steps per day. It’s certainly a great goal to strive for. This magic number of steps is the equivalent of moving almost five miles. When you […]

Sneak in Fitness

Mary Lou Cerami paddleboarding

Kick the sitting habit with exercises for body and soul Above photo: Mary Lou Cerami paddleboarding “Sitting is the new cigarette,” says Angie McDermott, certified athletic trainer and owner of Konscious Body in Kenilworth, relating a popular thought among health professionals. “I get what they mean.” Most of us think of exercise as something we […]

Rolling with the Punches

Steve Hamlin works with his personal trainer at rock Steady Boxing. photo by James Foster

Steve Hamlin works with his personal trainer at rock Steady Boxing. Photo by James Foster   Steve Hamlin’s arms weren’t swinging when he walked, and he was starting to stoop over and shuffle. “I had a lot of discomfort in my back and legs, and I was having a hard time multitasking and remembering what […]

How to find time to squeeze in a workout

Woman warming up before a run

Maybe you’ve always considered yourself “active” — you played sports in high school, and now you enjoy walking your dog, hiking and an occasional yoga session. But maybe you don’t have teammates or organized workouts to hold you accountable, and exercise has been replaced by other “must-dos” in your schedule. We get it: Life is […]

Easy ways to boost metabolism

Woman biking and man running alongside

So you’re trying to lose weight. Join the club! Wouldn’t it be great if you could just turn a knob and rev up your metabolism — your calorie burn — just like that? Well, we all hear about diet and exercise strategies that supposedly do just that. But do they work? Yes — and no. […]

Staying active during your period

Female swimmer adjusting goggles before getting in the water

Harvard Health Blog This past August, her exuberance, emotion and enthusiasm had already made Fu Yuanhui the most famous Chinese athlete at the Olympics. After winning a bronze medal in the women’s 100-meter backstroke with a personal best, she nearly exploded with excitement: “I was so fast! I’m really pleased! I’ve already … expended my […]

Trick yourself into liking exercise

Girl in gym before exercising.

You know that exercise usually makes you feel better, but sometimes life — or excuses — can get in the way. You can spend 20 minutes debating about whether it might rain, or focusing on all of the reasons why right now is not a good time to walk — or you could just lace […]

How to Exercise Without Even Knowing It

Woman washing her car

By EatingWell In a review that appeared in the International Journal of Obesity, a group of scientists recently suggested that Americans are simply spending too much time talking about how our toxic food environment and our couch potato ways are making us obese. Perhaps there are other reasons that we’re plumping up, they proposed. Among […]

Why regular exercise helps reduce cancer risk

Woman in a yoga class

The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: It makes sense that regular exercise helps prevent heart disease. But I have also read that it might help prevent cancer. What’s the reason? A: Many studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to develop cancer. Such associations don’t […]

A stronger heart may keep your brain young

Cartoon hearth lifting barbell

By Julie Corliss Harvard Health Blog You probably know that regular exercise offers a wealth of benefits for your body, like staving off excess weight and chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. But mounting evidence suggests that exercise is also good for your brain. A study published in the journal Neurology links better cardiovascular […]

How to overcome your exercise excuses

Woman in light green jacket and pink headphones stretching arms above head in front of tall wooden fence

By Jean Harvey, Ph.D., R.D., & Joyce Hendley It’s easy to come up with reasons why you can’t exercise — but sometimes you spend more time arguing with yourself than it takes to fit in an exercise session. The easiest way to overcome your exercise excuses is to be prepared for them. Identify the reasons […]

Exercise: It does so much more than burn calories

Man exercising at the gym.

By Elizabeth Pegg Frates, M.D. Harvard Health Blog If you’re trying to lose weight, you’ve surely heard that you need to “eat less and exercise more.” The more you move, the more calories you’ll burn — and you’ll lose weight. But as it turns out, the effect of physical activity on human physiology may be […]

Start moving with a fitness tracker

Man running with fitness tracker

Harvard Health Letter You’ve probably seen people wearing digital fitness trackers, small gadgets that come in wearable styles such as wristbands and pendants or handheld versions you can slip into a pocket. Why are they popular? The devices record your workout data, and they track your progress on those measures. “We’ve seen them make a […]

Don’t let hemorrhoids prevent you from exercise

Woman sitting on running track

Q: I have hemorrhoids. Can running or exercise make hemorrhoids worse or cause them not to heal? Also what do you suggest if they become painful? A: Symptoms of hemorrhoids may sometimes be brought on by activity. Vigorous exercise, such as heavy weight lifting, or any activity that causes exertion, straining or bearing down can […]

Caffeine can boost exercise performance, but watch the dosage

cappuccino cup

By Howard LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School Q: A friend drinks a cup of coffee one hour before exercise. She claims it improves her performance. Is this true? A: Yes, assuming she drinks caffeinated coffee. A cup of decaf might make her think she’s exercising harder, but it’s the caffeine that boosts performance. Caffeine’s positive […]

EatingWell: Everyday activities can help you keep fit and stay active

Woman gardening

By EatingWell editors, EatingWell.com In a review that appeared recently in the International Journal of Obesity, a group of scientists suggested that Americans spend too much time talking about how our toxic food environment and couch potato ways are making us fat. Perhaps there are other reasons we’re plumping up, the experts proposed. Among their […]

EatingWell: Is your workout making you gain weight?

man on treadmill

By Lisa D’Agrosa, M.S., R.D., EatingWell.com I love the pumped-up energy I have after a good workout. Plus, I feel stronger — I am this close to being able to do a real pull-up. But if we’re being honest, I also love the way exercising helps my body look. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes […]

Too much sitting linked to heart disease, diabetes, premature death

Sitting at desk, sedentary

By Julie Corliss Harvard Health Blog Like many people, I have a job that involves sitting in front of a computer most of the day. Because I work from home, I don’t have to sit through a long commute, and my dog gets me up out of my chair for walks a couple of times […]

Safe exercise: Know the warning signs of pushing too hard

winded man

Harvard Health Letters You know the expression about no pain, no gain. But pain and other symptoms during exercise are not normal. You should always pay attention when your body is sending you warning signs. “Be sensible if you have symptoms. It’s better to get help so you can exercise for years to come rather […]

It’s Winter: Take Your Workout Outside

winter workout running

Frigid Chicago winters often make us cower inside, afraid of venturing outdoors, especially for exercising. But the truth is, the bitter cold doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Last year, I learned to embrace the cold. Granted, it took a trip to polar territory—Marquette, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula—to do so. But there, I […]

The Prevention Column

Time to Start

Getting Started When You Think It’s Too Late By Anthony Bonazzo A lot of Americans have an all-or-nothing mentality, especially when it comes to fitness. Think of fitness like golf; it requires a daily commitment, and it’s never too late to pick up the game. If you’re currently living with health concerns related to being overweight or […]

The Benefits of Kegels

kegels

Is there really one exercise that can prevent pelvic floor disorders? By Emily O’Brien Kegel exercises. Popular for potentially being advantageous for women who have difficulty reaching orgasm. They’re discreet enough to perform anywhere. But there’s more to it than that. The simple clench-and-release exercise, named after its gynecologist inventor, Arnold Kegel, can bolster the […]

The Prevention Column

Woman doing sit ups pilates in living room

Fitness Tips for the Traveler By Anthony Bonazzo Just because you are traveling, doesn’t mean that your fitness routine needs to go out the window. The old adage that “failing to plan is planning to fail” will ring true but can easily be avoided with minimal effort.  First, call ahead. If you’re staying at a […]