We found 50 results tagged with "heart health"
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How Whole Grains Benefit Your Body
A diet rich in whole grains can help keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Mother Nature’s Superfood: Whole Grains
Find out why seven whole grains are better than one — and what you can do to make the best choices for optimal health.
10 Simple Ways to Increase Fiber in Your Diet
Small changes to your daily diet can result in big gains in your fiber consumption.
Aerobic Exercise: Stay Fit by Having Fun
Many aerobic activities not only improve overall health, but they can also be really fun.
Vegetarian Diet vs. Drugs
If you have high cholesterol but don’t want to — or can’t take — drugs to lower it, you may have a promising option.
Fat Facts
Over the years fat has had a bad rap — but things are beginning to change.
Trans Fat 101
What are trans fats? And how can you avoid them?
36 Challenges
36 Challenges found
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Exercise for your heart
When it comes to heart health, moving your body is always a good thing. But some forms of exercise are even more beneficial when done regularly. According to the American Heart Association, continuous activities that use the large muscle groups, like fast walking, hiking, aerobics, rowing, swimming...
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Make heart health a priority
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America for both men and women?[1] In 2010 alone, the disease cost Americans $316.4 billion[2]—a shocking statistic, given what we can do as individuals to collectively curb the disease. February’s Heart Health Month is a...
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Eat a hearty-friendly food
First off, what is a heart–friendly food? We hear so much about what not to eat when it comes to heart health, we sometimes forget that some foods contain nutrients that can help your heart. (Ask your healthcare professional for suggestions.) Olive oil, for example, when replacing saturated...
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Get a stress test
If your doctor suspects heart disease, chances are a stress test of some sort may be recommended. What does that mean? Most of the time, when cardiologists use the term, they mean an exercise stress test—controlled physical exertion that is monitored to see how it affects your heart rate...
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Pass on the salt
Studies have shown that limiting salt intake can significantly reduce hypertension, which can lead to heart disease. Over the next 24 hours, monitor your salt intake. If you’re getting more than the recommended limit of 2,300 milligrams per day, find ways to lower your intake. We challenge you to...
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Add intervals
Most experts agree that adding interval training to your workouts can boost results. What is interval training? Just a fancy way of saying, vary your pace. Like to run? Alternate sprints with fast-walking. Aerobics your speed? Add strength-training intervals. Anything you can do to “surprise” your...
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Take the talk test
One standard of a workout’s rigor is whether or not the participant can pass the “talk” test – being able to carry on a conversation, albeit a breathless one. If you can’t, you may be pushing too hard. Today, challenge yourself to monitor your breath during your workout and making an honest...
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Get pedaling
Love biking but winter weather keeping you in? Try an indoor cycling class instead. Indoor cycling is an ideal mode of exercise for people of all fitness levels and is not weight-bearing as long as you stay in the saddle. Today, challenge yourself to spin your wheels at the gym if you can’t hit the...
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Don’t sweat it
Do you really have to be drenched in sweat to see cardiovascular results from your workouts? Not necessarily. Rate your winter workouts not in terms of (chilling) sweat, but with a heart-rate monitor. You’ll be surprised how inspiring it is to track your progress and the intensity of your workouts...
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Be a softy
A good way to remember “good” vs. “bad” fats: Healthier fats like mono- and polyunsaturated varieties are typically liquid at room temperature; harmful trans- and saturated fats are generally solid. Today, challenge yourself to do the sight test as well as relying on memory and knowledge when it...
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Redefine run of the treadmill
Reviewed your treadmill form lately? Proper form is not only better for your workout, it’s safer too. Today, challenge yourself to schedule some time to head to the gym and get on the treadmill keeping these tips in mind:
• Never walk or run while leaning on or hanging from the support bars.
•...
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Bound up the stairs
Don’t just take the stairs today – run them. Sound intimidating? Just remember that if you can only do five steps comfortably, there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone has to start somewhere. Today, challenge yourself to skip the elevator or escalator and add two stairs every time you run a...
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Spy the sterol
Sterols, plant-based nutrients, can help the body fight absorption of “bad” cholesterol. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends foods fortified with plant sterols for folks with LDL cholesterol levels over 160. Where can you find them? Yogurt drinks and orange juice to start (e.g., two...
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Try non-contact boxing
Non-contact fitness boxing is great exercise. Plus, it doesn’t require fancy choreography and it’s great fun. Offered at health clubs and gyms everywhere, it can also be practiced in front of the mirror at home (assuming you’ve studied up on proper form, of course). This month, challenge yourself...
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Figure your body’s ratios
Ever wonder what your body’s ratio of fat to muscle is, and, more important, if it’s healthy? There are several ways to find out.
This month, challenge yourself to make an appointment with your doctor or trainer to get your body composition tested using one of the following methods:
•...
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Sprint down the block
Short bursts of high intensity activity not only increase your aerobic capacity, but also burn more calories. The next time you go for a walk, challenge yourself to add a couple of short sprints or jogs to your routine.
_Always consult a physician before starting any exercise routine._
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Jog your memory of running
Anyone who remembers being a kid recalls the pure pleasure of running free. For exercise, few things beat a jog: It’s free, it can be done anywhere at any time, and it’s highly effective at improving cardiovascular health and maintaining a healthy weight. If starting a routine seems intimidating...
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Try capoeira
Based on ancient warrior moves, capoeira is a form of dance that can get your heart pumping and muscles moving. This week challenge yourself to see how fun capoeira can be.
_Always consult a physician before starting any exercise routine._
_(We've given you 30 days for this challenge. When you...
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Get your blood pressure checked
If left unchecked, high blood pressure can lead to a host of health problems. In the next 24 hours, schedule an appointment with your doctor to get checked out.
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Make commercials count
Drop that remote and use commercials as a stopwatch instead. Do classic jumping jacks, or mix it up by varying your arm movement or by moving your legs in a cross-country ski motion. Research shows exercising in brief intervals has cumulative benefits, so your efforts will add up. Challenge yourself...
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Conquer a 5K
Lots of us think about running a 5K but never do it. What holds us back? The physical challenge can be intimidating. But if you can run two miles or so you can prepare with just six weeks of training (and a good pair of running shoes). Get a friend to join you and the time will fly by. And don’t...
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Throw a chocolate tasting party
Now that the holidays are over you may find yourself missing some of the hustle and bustle of social events and activities. Which is why we think that throwing a chocolate tasting party this month is such a great idea. It’ll give you an excuse to get together with friends or family in a more...
Challenge
Be good to your heart
February is American Heart Month. And since Kashi is a big proponent of keeping your heart healthy, we thought we’d highlight it by posting a challenge.
This month, make an effort to pay attention to these aspects of heart health:
• Diet
• Fitness
• Weight management
• Cholesterol
• High...
Challenge
Have a tea party
Although you might think that tea parties are for children, they’re actually quite fun for adults too. Especially if you plan them on a theme. The best ones are based on a tea’s origins. For example, when serving Japanese tea offer your guests Japanese foods like rice cakes or mochi. Or, when...
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Do 50 more jumping jacks
A few months ago we posted this challenge and immediately got a huge response. Everyone really seemed to love it. And what’s not to love? Jumping jacks get your heart rate up. They also make you breathe faster and get your blood pumping, all of which increases oxygen in your body. Afterwards, you...
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Experiment with oatmeal
You may not realize it, but all oatmeal is not all the same. Depending on the way oat groats are processed, oatmeal has a very different texture once it’s cooked. So while you may think you don’t like oatmeal, you should experiment a little before deciding:
• _Steel cut oats_ are groats that...
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Linger over a glass of wine
In addition to being good for your heart (thanks to all those antioxidants), wine can also be good for your soul.
Tonight, savor a glass of wine and enjoy its multifaceted benefits alone in contemplation or with friends. _(It’s good to note that recommended intake for women is 4 ounces, while...
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Try a 10-minute workout
Although longer, sustained workouts may help you reach your fitness goals faster, shorter workouts can help you stay healthy too. Better yet, they get you in the habit of regular movement, which is the first step toward a more active lifestyle.
Today, challenge yourself to exercise for 10...
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Try a team sport instead of jogging
A recent study by Danish scientists who conducted research on 37 men found that soccer players worked off more fat and built more muscle than joggers exercising for the same amount of time. In addition, the soccer players had more fun and felt less muscle pain and exertion.
If you’re a jogger...
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Workout with an everyday activity
You don’t have to go to a gym to get your heart rate up. Many everyday activities help you accomplish this goal — and they don’t cost a thing. Today, make the effort to do something that gets your heart rate up for 15-30 minutes. Here are some ideas to get you started: 1) mow the lawn, 2) weed the...
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Jump rope for 10 minutes
Jumping rope is not just for schoolyards. It is a great way for people of all ages to burn extra calories, increase stamina, and improve coordination. Today, challenge yourself to find a jump rope and use it for 10 minutes.
_Always consult a physician before starting any exercise routine._
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Take the stairs
Who'd have thought something as simple as taking the stairs could be so beneficial? Stair climbing is good for your heart, helps you stay fit, and five minutes of this aerobic activity burns a whopping 75 calories. Today, challenge yourself to take the stairs everywhere you go.
_Always consult a...
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Integrate cardio into your schedule
Whether you want to strengthen your heart, lose a few pounds or improve your attitude, cardiovascular exercise is a great way to improve your health and happiness. This month, feel the benefits of cardio exercise by making an effort to do 20-30 minutes at least four days per week.
_Always...
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Laugh out loud
According to a study published in 2001, people with a good sense of humor had less coronary heart disease than those who were more serious. Reducing your stress load and laughing more not only gives you a more lighthearted outlook on life, it also gives you a more heart-healthy approach to life...
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Know your body
During the next several months, make it a goal to learn some vital statistics about your body. Challenge yourself to get answers to these basic questions: 1) your cholesterol levels, 2) your blood type, 3) your blood pressure (and what do those mysterious numbers really mean?), and 4) your BMI...
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Do 50 jumping jacks
Remember jumping jacks from high school gym class? The great thing about them is they get your heart pumping and blood flowing. They also increase the oxygen in your blood and make you more alert. Sometime today, do 50 jumping jacks to get your heart rate up.
_Always consult a physician before...
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