Diet & Exercise Expert Jeffrey Heit shares Diet & Exercise management news and commentary at MyDietExercise.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801 http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801 http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/38675/jumping-rope Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:23:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit   If you're thinking that jumping rope is only for school girls, get a clue! Some of the toughest athletes in the world, namely boxers, UFC fighters, as well as others, jump rope to shed pounds, stay in shape and help with everything from posture to coordination.   Not often thought of by lay people as an alternative to jogging, biking or elliptical cardio routines, jumping rope can burn some serious calories- about 225 calories... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/38675/jumping-rope http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/38442/exercise Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:23:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit As I watched the US Men's Olympic Swim Team celebrate their dramatic victory in the 200 meter medley, I noticed that these guys have virtually NO BODY FAT on them. Well, they have to have some, otherwise they wouldn't float. Nonetheless, it got me to thinking that swimming is an exercise often overlooked. True, it's sometimes difficult to make the time and find the place to do it, but it burns some serious calories, and, best of all, it's almost... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/38442/exercise http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/36381/exercising Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:40:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit   Have you looked at your calendar recently? We're heading into what are called the "dog days" of summer. Temperatures are at their hottest and humidity levels can be oppressive. It is therefore important to understand what effect this weather may have on your outdoor workouts, and what measures you can take to avoid dehydration, overheating and heat stroke.   When the temperature soars, your body needs to do more to cool itself off... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/36381/exercising http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/35581/fasciitis Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:12:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit   This is the first in a series of blogs I hope to be writing about common injuries that can be sustained as a result of pursuing fitness. As good as exercise is for us, we must be aware that even the best of intentions can go awry at times.   Plantar fasciitis (pronounced plan tar fashee it is) is an extremely common condition that usually plagues long distance runners and walkers. Simply put, it is inflammation of the connective... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/35581/fasciitis http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/34059/warm Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:19:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit When I was in high school, a mere 25 years ago, gym class always started with all of us stretching after attendance was taken and the kids "settled down." I wish I had known then what I know now, because it appears we were doing things backwards. Most of us learned that before a physical activity, we must "warm-up." Somewhere along the line that transformed into stretching. While I'm a big advocate of warming up, stretching your muscles as the... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/34059/warm http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/32744/guarantees Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:59:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit All of us were deeply saddened by the recent and untimely death of Meet The Press host and political journalist Tim Russert. "How can this have happened?" many people have asked. According to all accounts, including those by his own personal physician, Tim was doing everything right. He did have coronary artery disease and high cholesterol, but was religious about taking his medications regularly, exercising, and, in fact, had passed an exercise... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/32744/guarantees http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/31058/time-problem Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:34:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit Now that we've given our abs and core a serious once over, we're ready to work our upper and lower halves.   Push-ups- there's a reason why the Marine Corps has soldiers "drop and give the drill sergeant 50!"- Because it's a great exercise to build strength in your arms, shoulders, chest and back. They're so remarkably simple, yet so effective in toning the upper body. Moreover, they can be done anywhere there is a floor- again, no... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/31058/time-problem http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/30060/time-problem Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:24:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit In today's high stress, high pressure, no free-time world, working out can be a bit of a logistical nightmare for many of us. Moreover, those of us with young children have even less time to exercise and stay fit. Every time I get ready to go to the gym, my wife, while happy that I'm trying to stay in shape, generally is disappointed that she is not going to get a break from our two and a half year old. After all, what about her yoga... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/30060/time-problem http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/28255/days-rest Mon, 19 May 2008 17:29:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit Most people overlook the importance of the days of rest that are recommended during each week of a workout or training routine. These days are crucial not only allowing your body to rest and recharge, but also, to allow your muscles to build and repair themselves so that they can grow bigger and stronger.   One guy I knew wasn't happy with his biceps though he seemed satisfied with the rest of his physique. He would go to the gym and... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/28255/days-rest http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/27665/working-goals Mon, 12 May 2008 22:10:00 -0000 Jeffrey Heit So you've been working out, eating better and starting to see results. Now what?   Any dieter or exercise aficionado will tell you that the easiest part of a fitness program or diet, once you've actually started, is the beginning phase- when you start to see quick results. The first time you step on the scale and see that you've lost the first couple of pounds or when your co-workers are telling you "you look thinner...are you... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/3801/27665/working-goals