Health Watch: Build up your glutes in the off-season
TIP OF THE WEEK
When May hits, a scramble to prepare for swimsuit season sweeps the gym. But why wait until spring? Now, in the dead of winter, is the perfect time to start building your glutes! When you give yourself four to five months versus four to five weeks the results will be evident. Time is ticking, though. Make your next workout the official start of your "offseason" plan with these butt-building methods.
Add variation: Lunges and squats are classics for a reason. They work! But when you're all lunged and squatted out after a month, don't give up on your glutes. The trick to staying motivated and committed to your workout plan is variation. Side lunges, walking lunges, and curtsy lunges will ban boredom while plie squats, jump squats and pistol squats barely scratch the squat option surface.
Hit the machines: To aid in the swimsuit offseason, bodyweight exercises should be paired with sets spent on machines. The leg press machine, squat machine and glute machine are three of the best strength machines for targeting your lower body. For the best results, challenge yourself with enough weight or resistance so that you struggle to finish the last few reps of 12 in the third set.
Consistency and cardio: You've got the exercises, but you're still missing the two "C" words required to get a great pair of glutes: consistency and cardio. A few sets of walking lunges once a week are good but not great. Focus on your lower body three times a week for 30 minutes. And make sure to include cardio into your routine in order to blast the fat hiding your new toned muscles.
— Life Fitness
NUMBER TO KNOW
50 percent: According to a recent Gallup poll, almost 50 percent of Americans take a daily vitamin to help stay healthy. The groups that reported the highest percentage of vitamin use are women, upper-income earners and older Americans. Vitamin use also increased with education level.
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CHILDREN'S HEALTH
Just say no: A new survey from the National Institute on Drug Use revealed that children and teenagers are smoking fewer cigarettes, consuming less alcohol and abusing fewer prescription drugs. Meanwhile, marijuana usage among minors has remained steady, despite the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in several states.
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SENIOR HEALTH
Staying sharp: Eating a colorful plate of fruits and veggies can help seniors stay sharp. Seniors who eat leafy greens, fish, fruit and nuts filled with omega-3 fatty acids can diminish their chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Start your morning with a mug of green tea — packed with antioxidants — to help you keep focused and alert. Other good foods for senior minds include beet juice and yogurt.
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NEW RESEARCH
Overexposure: A new study published in the journal PLOS One found that exposure to household chemicals may cause children's IQs to drop. According to researchers, women who were exposed to chemicals like di-n-butyl phthalate and di-isobutyl phthalate while pregnant gave birth to children with IQs that were lower than their peers by age 7. The chemicals are commonly found in items like microwave food containers, air fresheners, dryer sheets, cosmetics and shampoos.
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