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Sometimes we rationalize eating junk food because it can be cheaper than buying healthier foods.  Temptation is around every corner: $0.99 bag of potato chips, $0.50 candy bars or any item on a fast food dollar menu.   Click on the following link to find out which foods are both affordable and healthy for you. 

http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22145/52070-20-healthiest-foods–1/

Popularity: 16% [?]

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Gaining weight can be very frustrating, especially if you are physically active and watch what you eat.  Weight gain is comprised of many factors, this  means that you can put on extra pounds even though you may be eating the same foods and keeping the same exercise routine.  You may be gaining weight because of the following reasons:

1.  Lack of Sleep – When you are sleep deprived, your body stores more fat efficiently.
2.  Stress – Extra stress can cause our body’s metabolism to slow down, resulting in a Beer Belly.
3.  Medications – Prescription drugs can change your appetite, or affect how fat is stored.
4.  Medical Conditions – Hypothyroidism is a medical condition which causes a lack of appetite and weight gain.
5.  Menopause – Hormone changes can affect sleep, hunger and slow down your metabolism.

Click on the following link to read the entire article:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/5-surprising-reasons-you-are-gaining-weight

Popularity: 20% [?]

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Are you looking to start losing a few pounds but you are unsure how much you can eat in order to reach your goal weight? Do you know how many pounds you want to lose and by what date you want to be at your goal weight? If your answer is yes to these questions, then you need to check out the following goal weight tool. Whether you are trying to lose 5 pounds to fit into that wedding dress in two weeks or trying to lose 15 pounds to show off your body at the beach in a month, Beer Belly has discovered a tool that will show you how many calories you can eat each day in order to reach your goal. The tool is very easy to use, all you need to enter is your sex, age, height, current weight, target weight, activity level and goal date. The tool will then show you what your approximate caloric intake should be in order to look your best. Use the tool yourself by clicking on the following link.

http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/calories-goal.php

Popularity: 23% [?]

Many drinks have more calories than people realize.  And unlike food, we can have a lot to drink without filling up.  Therefore it is important to know how many calories are in the beverages we drink.  Be careful of drinks with sugar, cream and syrup.  Diet and calorie free drinks will always be the healthiest options.  Make sure you add up the total calories of a beverage before you drink it.  Many beverages can pack 2 or 3 servings per bottle, which essentially makes drinks seem healthier than they really are.  Watch your serving size when drinking fruit juice and fruit smoothies.  While these beverages may be filled with vitamins, they are typically high in calories. 

Are you drinking beverages that are high in calories?  Click on the link below to see if your favorite beverages made the list.

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/joybauernutrition/18182/are-beverages-making-you-fat/

Popularity: 11% [?]

Do you need some motivation to help jump start an exercise program?  Look no further, all the reasons you need are right here.  Taking 30 minutes out of your day to walk, run, bike or swim can have more positive impacts on your body than you can possibly imagine.  Regular aerobic exercise can reduce health risks, such as high blood pressure and heart attacks.  Aerobic exercise can also improve your immune system, clear your arteries of bad cholesterol, relieve stress, fight depression, increase stamina and help keep off those extra pounds.  As you get older, aerobic exercise will help keep muscles strong and your mind sharp.  And the most important reason of all, people who regularly engage in aerobic activities live longer than people who do not.

What more motivation do you need?  Get out there and start exercising!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aerobic-exercise/EP00002

Popularity: 17% [?]