Health and Fitness

What Can Be Done About Stretch Marks?

Q: I have stretch marks on my stomach, back and thighs. If I lose weight, will they go away?

A: I'm gonna be totally honest with you — stretch marks will not go away completely. That said, they can fade a great deal. They should fade on their own with time, but there are cosmetic procedures, including laser treatments and injections, that can help them fade a little more quickly.


The Hormone You Always Want More Of

Growth hormone (sometimes referred to as HGH, for "human growth hormone") is something we all want more of. It builds muscle, burns fat, helps you resist heart disease, and protects your bones — among many other health benefits. By increasing your muscle mass, growth hormone raises your resting metabolic rate and gives you more power for your workouts.


How to Deal With a Huge Appetite

Q: I have a huge appetite. It's not emotional or mental hunger. I've tried every gimmick out there (including the grapefruit diet!), but nothing has helped. If you have any insights into appetite control, please share them!


How Much to Exercise Each Day

You may have heard the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week (and that breaks down to just 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week). What's important to understand is that this is intended for people who want to maintain the most basic level of fitness — but not for people who want to lose weight. But if you want to drop those pounds, you're going to have to be prepared for a bit more work.


How to Get Rid of Belly Bulge

Q: What is the best way to get rid of belly bulge?

A: Contrary to what you might think, getting rid of belly bulge is all about diet and cardio rather than strength-training exercises that target the abdominals. This is because belly bulge results from excess body fat, not lack of muscle. The best way to reduce the bulge, therefore, is to reduce your body fat, and we all know what that requires — eating right and exercising, baby!


Always Hungry? Maybe This Hormone Is Out of Whack

I've worked with many people who have told me that no matter how much they eat, they're still hungry. They can scarf down half a pizza plus dessert and still feel ravenous afterward. Does this sound familiar? If so, it's possible that a condition called leptin resistance is at least partly to blame.



Why Do Ab Exercises Hurt My Neck?

Q: Why are crunches hurting my neck so much? Am I doing them wrong?

A: Yes and no. Abdominal exercises can strain the neck simply because the average head weighs 8 to 12 pounds. When your neck muscles are weak, you'll really feel that strain. A way to improve matters is to perfect your form.


Help for Love Handles

Q: What kind of exercises can I do to target my "love handles" and get rid of them once and for all?


The Rule of the Game: Intensity

If you're looking to shed stubborn pounds, the rule of the game is to increase the intensity of your workouts. I want you to be working out at 85 percent of your maximum heart rate (MHR). However, you may have heard the "fat-burning zone" theory that encourages you to work out at just 70 to 75 percent of your MHR. The outdated assumption is that your body is drawing predominately on fat calories for energy — WRONG!