The Only 4 Exercises You Really Need

I do my best to exercise 5 to 6 times a week, but there are days when I simply cannot pull myself out of bed in time to sweat before work, or when I'm traveling and my normal routine is completely thrown off track. Instead of completely scrapping my routine, I’ll try and squeeze in a few bodyweight exercises—namely squats, planks, chair dips and pushups—throughout the day. These four moves give you a full-body toning and strength session in just a few minutes. I find that they also boost my energy and mood on days when I'm feeling tired, stressed or overwhelmed, too.

The Age When Life Finally Starts To Open Up

The flowers, a cluster about the size of his hand, had sprung up near the woodpile, stopping him and the lawn mower in their tracks. A delicate blue, a shade darker than a robin’s egg, the blossoms had four petals, each no longer than a baby’s fingernail. A squadron of polished sentries, they proudly saluted the sky as they stretched above the short grass for the warmth of the spring sun. A few years ago, he probably wouldn’t even have noticed them and mowed them down. Today, they invited—commanded—close inspection. Plus, he didn’t want their beheading on his conscience. Everything is connected, he had been thinking lately.

The Effects of Rosacea


woman looking at her face in a mirrorWhile beauty is certainly not skin deep, society does often judge people—especially women—on their appearance. The effects of skin conditions like rosacea can significantly impact self-esteem, because, for better or for worse, our skin will always be part of our first impressions. The good news is that rosacea is manageable.

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition with a proven impact on lifestyle that can cause frustration, embarrassment and anxiety for those who have it. Rosacea affects an estimated 16 million Americans and 40 million people worldwide.

Exercise Time-Wasters to Trim

Top 5 Exercise Time-Wasters to Trim

woman talking around an exercise bikeWe all know that fitting in a workout isn't always easy. Between jobs, kids, spouses, friends and downtime, it can be tough to work up the motivation to get yourself moving. So when you do hit the gym, your number one priority should be taking full advantage of the time you have there.

While your fitness efforts may be paying off when you look in the mirror, chances are you could be getting the same—if not better—results in a shorter amount of time if you cut out exercise time-wasters. Here are the top five to trim from your routine.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, other than skin cancer, and the second deadliest cancer in U.S. women; lung cancer is the deadliest. Approximately 207,090 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2010, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Though an estimated 39,840 women will die from breast cancer, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, according to the ACS.

Fortunately, the number of deaths caused by breast cancer has declined significantly in recent years, with the largest decreases in younger women—both Caucasian and African American. These decreases are probably the result of earlier detection and improved treatment.