10/10/2008

'American Gladiator' champ Ally Davidson puts on boot camps

GUY REYNOLDS/DMN

Ally Davidson, who won the recent "American Gladiators," shouts encouragement to participants in her bootcamp-style workout.

Ally Davidson recently inaugurated a Dallas bootcamp-style regimen for those who'd like to benefit from a few of the training techniques that helped her win the "American Gladiators" competition last August. Ms. Davidson was the Dallas advertising sales rep who auditioned for the competition on her wedding day.

10/06/2008

The 'divorce diet' melts off pounds

MICHAEL HOGUE/DMN

All your other attempts to lose weight have failed? Never mind. We're here to tell you about one of the fastest and most foolproof diets around.

10/08/2008

In Season: Studies prove that apples really are good for you
The old adage that an apple a day keeps the doctor away gets a boost from research as we welcome a new crop of fall fruit. Dr. Andrew Weil notes in his September newsletter that all 2,500 U.S.-grown apple varieties are good sources of fiber and potassium. And, he says, apples have a low glycemic load, which measures how much a serving of a food raises blood sugar.

10/06/2008

How 10-minute high-intensity workouts can work for you
You've probably heard that the American College of Sports Medicine says that exercising in 10-minute bouts throughout the day can be just as effective as working out for 30 minutes straight. Here's what you need to do to make that work.

Why men lose weight faster than women

FILE

It's so annoying when a guy puts his mind to getting buff. Faster than you can say "beer belly," the pounds start melting off, and in no time, he's sporting a different kind of six-pack. Here's why it happens, and how to even the score.

10/07/2008 Government guidelines: Adults need 2 1/2 hours of exercise a week Someone who's done no exercising will start seeing benefits with as little as 10 minutes of moderately intense exercise a day. >>Read the guidelines

10/06/2008

6 products to get you in and out of the gym fast

The Wordlock can make remembering your combo easier.

The hardest part of your workout should be in the gym – not in the locker room. Here are six timesavers to make it that much easier to hit the gym.

10/07/2008

Doctors report Botox taking pain out of migraines
Like millions of other migraine sufferers in America, most of whom are women, Ms. Cook was desperate for answers when she heard about Dr. Jeffrey Janis' research on Botox and migraines at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

10/06/2008

Nastia Liukin's mom offers 5 strategies to keep a family fit
Anna Liukin, 38, of Parker wanted most of all for her daughter, Nastia, to be happy and fit. Here are her five top tips for keeping her family strong.

10/07/2008

Drug companies: No cold medicines for kids under 4
 VIDEO: Always good to speak with your doctor  Decision voluntary by companies 

Craving a burrito? Think again; NYC launches calorie-counting campaign
Posters that appeared Monday in about 1,000 subway cars provide calorie counts for several menu items—like 470 for a giant apple bran muffin or 1,170 for a chicken burrito with toppings.

Treatment for snoring will be on 'The Doctors'
Here's one show about snoring that's not a snore.

Aging: Understanding weight gain and menopause
The correlation between menopause and increased body fat levels continues to be studied.

Fitness calendar: Fall runs
LAKE JOE POOL PUMPKIN RUN 10K, 5K AND 1 MILE: Features school challenge and cash awards for top runners. Organized by Metro Rotary Club, the race benefits the Alzheimer's Association. Entry fee: $18 through Friday and $25 race day. 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Lynn Creek Park at Lake Joe Pool in Grand Prairie. Details: 972-237-8084 or 972-264-2244.

Health Calendar: Events for women

10/06/2008

Dallas County offers flu shots to children 11:18 AM CT
The shots come as the flu season gets underway. Health officials say the vaccine supply this year should be plenty and effective. The county began offering flu shots to adults last week.

Unclear how much pounding new hips, knees can take
One in 75 patients who gets a knee or hip replaced must get it replaced again within three years, new research finds, although the studies underscore a question: Just how much pounding can a new joint take if you want it to last?

Pediatricians say no to exotic pets for young kids
A new study says young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets because of risks for disease. The same goes for or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter.

Coughing or gasping in your workout could mean asthma
If you experience coughing or difficulty breathing within the first 20 minutes of your workout, you may have exercise-induced asthma. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology recommends seeing a doctor to confirm a diagnosis.

Support your neck at night and beat a pain in the neck
Waking up with a stiff neck can be the first sign of a really bad day.

10/05/2008

Want to live longer? Avoid left turns
So you want to live longer? Here's my advice: Exercise regularly, eat healthfully and avoid left turns. Don't laugh. For years, my kids have teased me because of my phobia-like avoidance of left turns. There's a smoothie shop that we regularly visit on the way home from school, but never, ever on the way to school. Why not? It would require a left turn.

10/06/2008

Taco Pasta Bowl recipe spices up mac and cheese
Taco Pasta Bowls combine two ethnic-inspired flavors that teens enjoy: Italian and Mexican. But, of course, the end result is an all-American dish.

09/29/2008

Rehab after scoliosis surgery worth it for basketball player

MARK M. HANCOCK/Special to DMN

When Morgan Brownlee was told at age 12 that she had scoliosis, she cried, terrified that after surgery to straighten her curved spine she might not be able to play basketball. She was warned, too, that if something went wrong and a nerve was cut, she might never walk again.

10/03/2008

iPosture can be more effective than Mom's nagging
The iPosture looks and feels like it should cost $1 rather than $100, but it may be worth far more to slouchers like me.

De-stress for success
If you're female and taking 10 minutes to read this article, pat yourself on the back. At least you're doing something for yourself. But 10 minutes may be the only down time you give yourself today, if you're among a growing number of stressed-out women.

Take a ride on a recumbent bike, give your back a break
Jorge Mejias is accustomed to attracting curious stares when he rides his bike.

09/30/2008

Lewisville woman sheds 110 pounds to join U.S. Army

MELANIE BURFORD/DMN

One hundred pounds over the Army's weight limit, Ashley Barrett-Carter shapes up so she can ship out to basic training.
Video:Shedding pounds on the Army diet
Blog: Fitness

10/01/2008

Mr. Brown coffee packets, Pottery Barn hammock stands recalled
The following recalls have been announced:

09/30/2008

How to get the right kinds of fat
Dieters often fear fat, but it actually is crucial to good health. The trick is to eat foods with the right kinds of fat and avoid the others. Seven tips from nutritionists:

New ways to keep your hands looking young
No matter what you do to keep your face looking young, your hands could still be a giveaway to your true age. But the war being waged against dark spots, ropey veins and other symptoms of the no-longer-youthful hand is relatively recent and can be more challenging than combating facial wrinkles. Here are some solutions.

4 ways to measure fitness without a scale
Don't get rid of your scale, but don't believe everything you think it tells you. There are better ways to measure fitness success.

5 ways to burn calories at the State Fair of Texas

FILE/1996

Burn 254 calories an hour at the petting zoo.

The State Fair of Texas is upon us. And as we considered the array of fried foods, we wondered, how hard would it be to burn off the calories we eat while having fun at Fair Park? Here's what we learned.

09/26/2008

Find the perfect fit for your running shoes

CARTER ROSE/DMN

Since 2001, Duncan Cragg has managed the shoe department at Luke's Locker in Dallas, where he's established a reputation as the city's most authoritative sneaker-buying source and serves as head coach of the retailer's marathon program.

09/24/2008

Dallas triathlete defies cancer, crosses finish line four weeks after chemo

CARTER ROSE/Special Contributor

"Breast cancer was a detour, but it didn't mean I had to get off the path," triathlete Candy Sheehan of Coppell says.

Candy Sheehan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2007, set out to do. The 53-year-old former mayor of Coppell started chemotherapy and began training for the Ironman Florida competition just one month after her diagnosis.

09/29/2008

Start losing weight with a six-month plan
It's never too late to start a weight-loss and exercise program that will show results in six months. Here's what to do.

09/26/2008

New test for breast tumors: Water ultrasound imaging seems as accurate as mammography
The machine is still in trials, but so far, its developers at Karmanos and Wayne State University report its ability to detect tumors is as good as mammography, traditional ultrasound and potentially MRIs. It's called Computerized Ultrasound Risk Evaluation, or CURE.

09/22/2008

Veria Wellness Centers are a combinination spa, store, fitness studio and more

From its unassuming storefront in the sprawling Plano shopping center at the corner of Park and Preston, you'd never know Veria aims to be the Next Big Thing in wellness.

Ice or heat for sore muscles? Learn this and more
Find out everything you need to know about muscles, from whether weight lifting bulks women up to how to increase your muscle capability.

09/23/2008

Six foods that ward off aging
There might not be a fountain of youth, but there might be a pantry of youth. People who stock up on the right foods can turn back the clock, according to Karen Ansel, a dietitian and author of "The Anti-Aging Diet" story in last month's Family Circle. Ditch red meat, full-fat dairy, soft drinks, cookies, cakes, white flour and fried and packaged foods, she advises. Add these to your diet instead.

How to eat in restaurants when you have food allergies
With one in 25 Americans – or 12 million people – making special menu requests because of food allergies, there's an increased need for updated and practical guidelines for restaurants.

09/22/2008

W Dallas-Victory hotel offers yoga classes with a view

FILE 2007

If you thought the only way to enjoy the W Dallas-Victory's spectacular views was from Ghostbar, you're in for a treat – new this fall, the hotel is offering yoga classes on the 16th-floor pool deck.

09/23/2008

Aging happens, but getting old is a state of mind
researchers at the University of California, Irvine hope to learn more about longevity from Gordon Bern and others in their 90s. The former salesman is among nearly 1,000 study subjects recruited from Leisure World, as the U.S. Census reports that people 85 and older are the fastest-growing segment of the population.

09/22/2008

5 reasons to take a walk
Need inspiration to get you going on a walk? Here are our favorite five.

09/23/2008

Health Calendar: Detoxify your fridge, pantry

09/22/2008

Private Workout fitness center lets you exercise alone
The concept: You work out in (as the name implies) private rooms. No comparing yourself to the spandex set or wondering why that woman on the triceps machine feels compelled to wear eyeliner and lipstick.

09/15/2008

The 9 best gyms in Dallas

CARTER ROSE/Special to DMN

Pilates at Telos Fitness

The search for the perfect gym can be an exercise in itself. Whether you're after a social spin class or more inclined toward one-on-one training, we've got the skinny on nine of the city's hottest locally owned workout venues. Photos

09/22/2008

Performance Playground gym is now called Octagon Fitness
Five-year-old Performance Playground, the gym known for hard-bodied Highland Park denizens and serious-minded athletes, changed owners and names in August.

6 ways to amp up your metabolism to keep weight off
Most people really underestimate how many calories they eat and overestimate how many calories they burn. A test from the Cooper Clinic helps you get a better handle on what you need.

Learn capoeira, a kick-butt workout that combines acrobatics, martial arts and, yes, singing
Brazilian workout makes dance part of the workout.

Run On coach shares rockin' playlist for treadmill tempo runs
Run On coach and mother of three Jennifer Kemble, 37, doesn't recommend wearing headphones during trail workouts, but she has a rockin' playlist for treadmill tempo runs. When that last sprint seems too tough, crank up the volume on one of these tunes to get it done.

Gear: Yoga towel keeps you from slipping as you work out
Ah, yoga. The stretching! The breathing! The flexibility! The mat you pull from a communal pile in the workout room! Oh...yeah. Yuck. Before you hightail it to spin class, try the Skidless Premium Towel by Yogitoes.

5 quick exercises to fit into everyday life
As a mother, I've had to redefine my fitness time. Now, a workout is any movement I get during the day. I run next to my son as he pedals his little two-wheeler down the sidewalk. I weight lift by carrying groceries or lifting a 25-pound child out of a car-seat. I lunge to pick up toys or wipe spills. Here are a few of the ways I've managed to cram exercise into a busy day during the last four years:

More parents ponder cancer gene tests for kids
Women are going for breast cancer gene testing in record numbers, forcing more parents to face a tough question: Should we test the kids?

How to avoid medication mistakes
Every year, millions of Americans get the wrong drugs at pharmacies or don't take them correctly at home, sometimes leading to life-threatening health problems. Here are tips from pharmacists on staying safe:

Nike quitting elite swimwear market
Nike said it will not compete against the likes of Speedo to get the swoosh on the world's top swimmers.

09/19/2008

A less toxic yoga mat for mind, body and soul
Nothing like polyethylene fumes while you're trying to stretch out the kinks. Here's a better mat.

Cottonwood Trail helps connect 35 miles of bike paths
The under-construction Cottonwood Trail gives Dallasites another reason to get their bikes out

Study finds new anti-psychotics no better than generics for kids
Texas has spent nearly $300 million since 2003 on expensive medications for poor children as prescriptions for kids have increased fivefold in the last 15 years.

10-minute workout, but does it make a difference?
Micro-workouts are everywhere, from Jorge Cruise's "8 Minutes in the Morning" to Tracey Mallett's "Sexy in 6," a fitness program with six-minute workouts. But are they enough to do any good?

09/18/2008

Kid gyms send children out to play on treadmills
It may sound like a grown up routine, but many parents are enrolling their children in fitness centers or buying child-sized equipment for a workout more grueling than ballet or Little League but cheaper than hiring a personal trainer.

What's old is new again in fitness world
Earlier this year, Martha Zamirski gave up all the fitness fads that failed for her and went for a basic boot camp workout. So far, she has lost 20 pounds and dropped two dress sizes.

High-performance water claims to deliver more oxygen to body
There's a different kind of high-performance water joining the growing low-cal sports drink market, it's OGO Oxygenwater, reputed to sustain the likes of Madonna and David Beckham through grueling workouts.

Don't be vitamin D deficient
The advent of fall means less outdoor time, resulting in a shorter supply of the so-called sunshine vitamin your body produces.

09/17/2008

Try these low-calorie frozen desserts
Americans spend about $23 billion a year on frozen desserts, and that doesn't factor in the calorie costs.

Labels to reveal where your meat comes from
In a couple of weeks, American shoppers will be able to look at a cut of meat or a pound of hamburger and see something they've never seen before – a label that says where the meat came from.

09/16/2008

Study links new health risks to plastic in bottles
The first major study of health effects in people from a chemical used in plastic baby bottles, food cans and a host of other products links it with possible risks for heart disease and diabetes.

Some video games teens play may be beneficial, study finds
High-powered, ultra-violent games like Grand Theft Auto get all the attention. But for video-game playing teens, including a growing number of girls, it's about more than explosions and car chases.

Pottery Barn Kids water bottles, Oroweat bread recalled
The following recalls have been announced:

09/12/2008

Dallas Cowboys' Terrell Owens tells all (about fitness) in new book

LARA SOLT/DMN

Terrell Owens, working out at home.

If you can take your eyes off Terrell Owens' body, you might find yourself loving him for his mind. Because the Dallas Cowboys' wide receiver didn't get that body without putting into practice what seems to be his favorite word: Discipline.

09/16/2008

Dallas cancer survivor starts charity with singer from a popular '80s band

KYE R. LEE/DMN

James Chippendalewas near death before a life-saving bone-marrow transplant. He co-founded the Love Hope Strength Foundation with the lead singer of The Alarm.

Eating fish may keep brain lesions away
Small brain lesions, detectable only on scans, have been linked to the loss of thinking skills and dementia. Might eating fish, which is thought to be good for the brain, affect the development of these lesions, called silent brain infarcts?

5 foods that aren't as bad for you as they say
What appears to be conflicting news about nutrition is due to the evolving nature of science, says Linda Van Horn, a professor of preventive medicine and nutrition researcher at Northwestern University. Here are five often-vilified foods that deserve a second chance.

Beauty without toxins: Web site helps people avoid cosmetics that may cause health problems

Study: Fewer boys are born in tough economic times
Hard times are especially hard on pregnant women. Miscarriages go up, as do premature births. The result: fewer baby boys. Economist Ralph Catalano, professor at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, showed this for the first time in a 2003 paper in the journal Human Reproduction.

Health Calendar: Free screenings and more

5 reasons to sign up for the Dallas Running Club Half-Marathon
Wow, fall really IS in the air. Which makes you want to do...what? Yes, besides make s'mores and watch football on TV all day. Get outside! Move around! Run a race!

Book review: 'The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide: 77 Simple Strategies for Serenity'
We like the last line of this book's introduction: "Take care and keep breathing."

09/15/2008

Doctors say leg pain can signal deadly blood clot
Every year, between 350,000 and 600,000 Americans get one of these clots - and at least 100,000 of them die.

05/03/2008

30 ways to live to be 100
So you want to live to be 100? Join the party. And quite a party it's getting to be. An estimated 73,674 Americans were 100 or older in 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

01/29/2008

Stress can influence heart disease

Courtesy

Mandy Howell (left, with her sister and mom) had a heart attack after her stress level went "off the charts."

Even if you're doing your best to take care of yourself, stress can hurt your heart. Whatever the trigger, there's no doubt that women are suffering from heart disease, the gender's leading cause of death. Find out if you're likely to be a victim.
• More on heart health

12/17/2007

Dallas-area hospitals that routinely offer free and low-cost screenings, vaccinations and care
Save money on your health costs by checking out these local services.

12/10/2007

With right setup and equipment, home gyms make working out easier

SONYA N. HEBERT/DMN

Cheryl Van Duyne turned a closet into a workout room for herself and her husband.

Why wait until the New Year to get going on your home fitness resolutions? Here's what you need to know.
Beer belly workout: Exercises for a flatter stomach
A home yoga workout
More Fitness

11/19/2007

Gratitude: A healthy virtue that improves your life

SHARON KILDAY

This time of year, the 11th Healthy Virtue flows like gravy. It is on our lips, our hearts, our sleeves. Purely and unabashedly, we savor it and we share it with others. Gratitude. Here's how you can be more thankful in everyday life.
More Healthy Virtues

10/29/2007

Maple-pumpkin dinner rolls are naturally low-fat
Warm, fresh rolls improve nearly any meal, which can make it awfully tempting to grab some at the supermarket.

10/16/2007

Baby care special report

10/24/2007

Women's Health Special Section
H ealth is often the biggest part of being beautiful on the inside and the outside.

09/24/2007

Pain management: Looking at long-term solutions
Got a headache? Take a pill. Sinus pressure?

02/12/2007

Courage: A healthy virtue everyone can have

SHARON KILDAY/DMN

In the magic of beginnings, the freshness of a new year, we have been granted a special honor: to bestow, upon anyone who wishes to accept its responsibilities and privileges, a gift. Courage. Courage not necessarily to rescue babies from burning buildings, nor to search for mountaineers in the blizzards of Oregon mountains.

Instead, courage to do what scares you, frightens you, makes you uneasy or uncomfortable.

03/06/2006

Here's what to ask when you're looking for counseling, therapy
You feel helpless and sad. Overwhelmed. Your job isn't going well, nor is your marriage. Despite your best efforts, you can't seem to feel better. So what do you do? Family and friends have done everything they can, but even they conclude it's time you saw an expert. The question is: Who?

04/10/2006

Cancer resources
Here are some online sites for further exploration and information.

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