http://www.sheknows.com/authors/linda-melone-cscs/articles Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:04:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/839145/improve-your-running-with-dynamic-stretches If you skip one part of your exercise routine it's likely stretching. If it doesn't shape, tone or help you burn calories who needs it, right? Only stretching may help you avoid injury so you can continue to do the those things. Plus, if you're a runner, the right kind of stretching can make you faster. Sold, yet? If you're still not convinced, what if you found a way that wasn't the same old boring stretch-hold-and relax method? That's right: dynamic stretching can actually be fun. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/839145/improve-your-running-with-dynamic-stretches Linda Melone, CSCS Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:03:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/836845/the-5-dirtiest-things-youall-touch-today You carry antibacterial gel everywhere you go, wash your hands before you eat, yet somehow you still manage to get sick. What gives? Here are the five dirtiest things you'll touch today and how to protect yourself from those germs. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/836845/the-5-dirtiest-things-youall-touch-today Linda Melone, CSCS Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:56:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/836843/4-back-pain-myths-a-debunked No, you didn't accidentally log onto an AARP site. Back pain is not limited to your twilight years and can, in fact, happen even in your 20s or 30s. Lifting groceries or just trying a new Zumba class can trigger muscle spasms from your body being tweaked the wrong way. Deciding what to do about back pain can be confusing. Should you skip the gym and just lie down? Take a hot bath or use ice? Some approaches may actually make matters worse. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/836843/4-back-pain-myths-a-debunked Linda Melone, CSCS Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:11:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/836431/4-reasons-to-exercise-outdoors Running indoors on a sweaty treadmill can't compare with the feeling of the wind on your face and the spray of the surf while running on beach sand. Likewise, doing intervals on a swing-set beats a crowded aerobics class any time. In fact, outdoor workouts offer benefits indoor workouts don't, so get outside for the following fun-in-the-sun challenging moves. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/836431/4-reasons-to-exercise-outdoors Linda Melone, CSCS Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:26:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/834935/dont-ignore-weird-exercise-symptoms You exercise to get in shape and feel good. So when you feel shaky during your Zumba class and your downward dog makes your back snap, crackle and pop worse than breakfast cereal, your body may be giving you a heads-up that you’ve got a health problem. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/834935/dont-ignore-weird-exercise-symptoms Linda Melone, CSCS Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:15:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/834337/summer-fitness-tips-to-beat-the-heat When just the thought of getting off your hammock to refill your ice tea makes you break a sweat, you know it's hot. Waterproof makeup doesn't stand a chance when the mercury approaches triple digits, with humidity to match. Not only that, but exercising in the heat isn't just sweaty, it's downright unsafe if you don't take precautions. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/834337/summer-fitness-tips-to-beat-the-heat Linda Melone, CSCS Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:12:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/833853/swimming-tips-for-top-fitness Let's be honest: The only sure-fire way to stick with a fitness program is to find something you enjoy. Like going on a grapefruit diet when you can't stand citrus, you won't last long enough to see results otherwise. Moms have an even greater challenge: finding activities they enjoy that they can also share with their kids. We talked with medal-winning Olympic swimmer Janet Evans how she stays healthy and fit with her kids. Here are her swimming tips for top fitness. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/833853/swimming-tips-for-top-fitness Linda Melone, CSCS Tue, 24 May 2011 10:11:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/831877/extreme-makeover-weight-loss-edition If you've ever struggled to fit into your skinny jeans, you know the frustration of shedding those last five pounds. Imagine that scenario times 40. Instead of five pounds, you're 200 pounds from your goal weight. The good news: You have the help of a top-notch personal trainer who moves in with you to coach you every step of the way. Can you do it? http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/831877/extreme-makeover-weight-loss-edition Linda Melone, CSCS Sun, 22 May 2011 09:27:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/831105/stand-up-sitting-can-be-hazardous-to-your-health When did you last get up off your chair? If you spend more than 70 percent of your working day hunched over a desk, riding in a car, working at a computer or otherwise not standing up, you could be risking your health, experts say. Here’s how standing up can help you burn fat, lose weight and boost your overall health. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/831105/stand-up-sitting-can-be-hazardous-to-your-health Linda Melone, CSCS Fri, 06 May 2011 12:16:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/830429/5-summer-ready-abs-exercises If bathing suit shopping makes you wish for an icy, freezing snowstorm, it may be time to get those abs in summer shape. Keep in mind that all the crunches in the world won't help if your diet consists of fast-food and vending machine meals. But combining regular exercise with a healthy diet will have your abs beach-ready just in time for the fireworks display. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/830429/5-summer-ready-abs-exercises Linda Melone, CSCS Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:55:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/829279/hot-or-cold-which-treatment-best-for-exercise-injuries It's bad enough you tripped in front of that hot guy in aerobics class, but now you have a sore knee to show for it. What do you do? If you're lucky, Mr. Aerobic Guy is a paramedic who'll come to your rescue. But in reality, you'll likely have to choose between ice or heat. Which works best so you can save face--and feel better? http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/829279/hot-or-cold-which-treatment-best-for-exercise-injuries Linda Melone, CSCS Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:20:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/828493/is-your-gym-making-you-sick You expect to feel a bit sweaty and fatigued after a good workout -- not breaking out in hives and wheezing. If that's happening, something else may be at work. If you feel worse at the end of your workout than when you started, one of the following allergy triggers may be to blame. Here are a few common gym allergies and ways to sweat through them. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/828493/is-your-gym-making-you-sick Linda Melone, CSCS Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:15:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/827035/couples-fitness-tips-for-going-on-an-exercise-date Dating newsflash: Dinner and a movie can be detrimental to your waistline. That romantic glass of wine and a box of buttered popcorn adds up to mucho calories. Before you know it, you're up a size and still haven't found Mr. Right. So why not add a little calorie-burning to the mix with an exercise date? Fear not: No spandex required, just a desire to get off the couch and do something other than eat pasta and watch Will Smith save the world from aliens. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/827035/couples-fitness-tips-for-going-on-an-exercise-date Linda Melone, CSCS Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:27:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/826519/what-to-eat-before-and-after-a-workout It seems every other day, new research tells you something different about how to eat when you exercise. Cardio on an empty stomach burns fat – or does it? Eat protein after your workout – or is it carbs first, protein later? Before you opt to simply sit on the couch with a bag of Doritos, let us fill you in on the best foods to eat before and after a workout. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/826519/what-to-eat-before-and-after-a-workout Linda Melone, CSCS Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:59:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/826011/outdoor-fitness-kick-and-toss-your-way-into-shape If you're like most people, you've had your fill of winter weather. It's finally time to trade in that boring treadmill workout for sunshine and fun. And what better way than with a game of kickball or Frisbee? http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/826011/outdoor-fitness-kick-and-toss-your-way-into-shape Linda Melone, CSCS Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:47:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/825127/5-dangerous-gym-practices Tripping over your own feet in aerobics class may be embarrassing, but it's not likely to result in serious injury to anything aside from your pride. However, some gym accidents can result in a speedy trip to the ER. The good news: You can prevent most of them. Check out these most common fitness mistakes and what you can do to stay safe while exercising at the gym. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/825127/5-dangerous-gym-practices Linda Melone, CSCS Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:14:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/824855/does-your-mother-influence-your-body-image If you look in the mirror and see unwanted pounds, does your mother's voice pop into your head, reprimanding you for eating too many desserts? Does the thought of going bathing-suit shopping with your mom send you screaming into the night? If so, you're not alone. Many successful adult women still feel the influence of their mother's opinion on their own body image, positive or -- for many of us -- negative. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/824855/does-your-mother-influence-your-body-image Linda Melone, CSCS Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:36:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/824335/why-you-should-find-your-cardio-zone Even if you don't regularly track your heart rate, chances are you've checked it while on the elliptical trainer just to see what it registered. But what does it tell you? Here’s why you should find your cardio zone. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/824335/why-you-should-find-your-cardio-zone Linda Melone, CSCS Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:57:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/823267/booty-boosters-3-butt-exercises-for-perky-buns What woman doesn't want flat abs? It's quite the opposite when we're talking about the derriere, though -- flat buns don't fill out a pair of jeans like a shapely behind can. Granted, some of your booty potential depends on your genetics, but you can still make the most of the butt you have. Here are three butt exercises for great glutes -- and exercise tips to make sure you’re targeting your booty. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/823267/booty-boosters-3-butt-exercises-for-perky-buns Linda Melone, CSCS Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:24:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/822845/kick-your-fitness-results-to-the-next-level Starting an exercise program is like a new relationship. In the beginning, you have high hopes -- you're motivated and charmed by your new venture, and believe you can happily work out for the rest of your life. After three to six months, however, this honeymoon phase may come to a screeching halt, and instead of looking forward to each exercise session, you're now bored and complacent. Worse, you’ve hit the dreaded exercise plateau. Don’t break up with your fitness routine -- simply kick it up a notch. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/822845/kick-your-fitness-results-to-the-next-level Linda Melone, CSCS