Health Nut
Muscle Girl
Savant's comment: For advice on specific exercises, head over to our Fitness Farm page and our resident fitness go-to girl Anne will help you out.
What I can say though is that your best option to tone your body without gaining too much muscle is to do exercises that don't target any one particular muscle group. Don't get too worried about becoming a muscle girl from simple exercising. The reality is that it takes a lot of work to build up a single set of muscles to the point where they are noticeable. The other tip that I can offer is to do a lot of different kinds of exercises. One of the keys to building muscles is working the same muscle group over and over. So if you do different exercises and work different muscle areas, you won't have to worry about one muscle group getting big.
Running Girl
Savant's comment: One of the nice things about running is it is an exercise that anyone can do. You don't need any equipment or special training. What I would suggest though is that for anyone that hasn't done this kind of exercise, to not start running right away. It's easier on the body if you start off walking at a brisk pace. Then, as your body strengthens, and you find walking to be 'easy', start jogging. Again, take it slow to start and make sure you bring water with you. As you improve, you can start jogging faster, and work your way into running. However, any activity is good, especially if it gets your body moving and your heart working. (Note: If you have any kind of medical condition, consult your doctor before starting any kind of exercise.)
In The News...
Teen Marijuana Use Linked to Later Illness (WASHINGTON POST) - Teenagers who smoke marijuana put themselves at risk for future mental illness and higher rates of depression, according to a report to be released today by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Although fewer teens overall are smoking marijuana, the report said, there is growing concern that those who do, particularly those who view the drug as a way to cope with depression, do not understand its consequences. It also is not clear whether their parents, who might have indulged when they were younger, understand the risks, experts say. ... Teenage girls who smoke marijuana are particularly at risk, the report said. It found that teen girls who smoke marijuana daily are more likely to develop depression than those who do not. (Read more)
Beyond Fashion: Why You Gotta Wear Shades (SCIENCE DAILY) - Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement; their lenses block harmful UV rays that, in severe cases, can cause permanent damage to the eyes in the form of cataracts, pterygium and possibly retinal degeneration. Cheap sunglasses may cost you less, but are they just as likely to protect against the effects of harmful UV rays as expensive sunglasses? According to Dr. Donald J. D'Amico, chair of ophthalmology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, there is no certain way for consumers to be sure they are getting ultraviolet or UV protection from their sunglasses -- even if they are labeled "UV absorbing" or "UV blocking." Cost is no indicator of UV protection. An expensive pair of sunglasses does not guarantee sufficient protection (Read more)
Hookah Users Mistakenly Believe Water Pipes Less Dangerous (ABC NEWS) - A sizable percentage of college students have tried smoking waterpipes, often under the false impression that they offer a "safer" way to smoke, a new study suggests. In a survey of 744 freshmen at one Virginia university, researchers found that half had ever tried smoking a waterpipe, with 20 percent saying they'd used one in the past month.] ... However, waterpipe smoke contains the same toxins as cigarette smoke does. And past studies have shown that hookah smoking can increase the heart rate and blood pressure, as well as impair lung function. (Read more)
College Student Sleep Patterns Could Be Detrimental (SCIENCE DAILY) - A Central Michigan University study has determined that many college students have sleep patterns that could have detrimental effects on their daily performance. As a graduate student, CMU alumna LeAnne Forquer, now a psychology faculty member at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., had her own trouble sleeping, prompting her to conduct a study to determine if other students experienced the same problems. Along with CMU psychology professor Carl Johnson, Forquer surveyed more than 300 college students, freshmen through graduate students, many of whom admitted that it took longer than 30 minutes for them to fall asleep and/or they woke more than once a night for at least five nights a week. (Read more)
The Quest to Build the Perfect Bra (NEWSWEEK) - It's a challenge familiar, and frustrating, to every woman: how to find a bra that's fashionable, feels good, and works with almost every outfit. Despite decades of innovation and millions of dollars spent on research and development since the first "breast supporter" was patented in the United States in 1863, lingerie makers have yet to design a bra that strikes just the right balance of fashion, function, and fit. But thanks to new technology, and a growing body of scientific research on women's breasts, they may finally be getting close. (Read more)
Perils of teen drinking (PRESS DEMOCRAT) - For a small group of Rohnert Park teens, the night began with some vodka and without parents. It ended with one of the girls clinging to life at Memorial Hospital. The 15-year-old Rancho Cotate freshman was the youngest patient with an alcohol overdose the emergency room doctor who treated her had ever seen. And he was surprised that she lived. Sonoma County parents, doctors and educators were shocked by the binge drinking that sent the girl's blood-alcohol level to 0.578, a concentration that is usually fatal. (Read more)
Video/Audio & Pictorials
Lupus not just in women's heads (MSNBC) - Like many autoimmune diseases, lupus affects women more than men and can be difficult to diagnose. (Watch video)
Customers 'Burned' By Lip Gloss (CITY TV) - Summer is fast approaching, bringing with it longer days, brighter sun, and an increased risk of skin cancer. ... Some dermatologists are worried that lip glosses could pose an increased risk for contracting the potentially deadly disease. (Watch video)
Avoid a sandal scandal (WebMD) - Is a bunion, corn, ingrown toenail or a bad case of athlete’s foot causing you foot pain or embarrassment? Keep your feet healthy by learning to recognize and treat common foot problems. (View slideshow)
News Briefs
Health Tip For The Week
Some studies have associated certain chemicals found in some hair dyes and coloring products to an increased risk of various types of cancer. While there has not been a definite cause-and-effect established, it's important to take precautions when dying your hair. Here are some safety tips to follow to reduce skin exposure when using hair dyes, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
(HEALTH DAY NEWS)