If you ever happen to turn on the television in the middle of the night, you'll notice a flood of infomercials selling the latest in home gym technology: machines that guarantee you'll have a sexy, slimmer body with…

I thought there was nothing better than a delicious, healthy meal with friends, accompanied with the daily cocktail that research is now suggesting may reduce the risk of death (article here). Then I read that there…

Healthkicker readers, you can now find us on Facebook. Yes, for those of you who are on Facebook throughout the day, become a fan and keep up with updates, links. You can leave comments or add links to the page. Find u…

Besides homosexuality, heterosexuality, transexuality, and the other sexualities, there is now vegansexuality. Well, it probably existed a long time ago. Vegansexuals are vegans/vegetarians who only have sex with ot…

These guys here let you know what will happen to you before you enter: picture from failblog.org

Scenario 1: At my oldest son's swimming lesson recently the teacher, par for the first day, had all the kids line up next to the pool. It became apparent that one little girl, a devout Muslim as indicated by her aba…

Those side effects they list on the package are just there because they have to be, right? They never actually happen to someone. Wrong.I started birth control pills when my boyfriend and I started dating in January…

I have never, ever been an athletic sort of person. The closest I ever got was when I was ten or so and played street hockey with my best friends once a week. That being said, I have almost ALWAYS been a physically ac…

I received a forwarded email the other day from a friend who now lives in the US. She's been a registered nurse for more than ten years so I think she's a reliable source on health issues like breast cancer.…

Healthkicker Do you remember the last time you did some form of physical activity (i.e. running, jogging, lifting something heavy)? When was it?

Americans have a very fragmented relationship with alcohol. We love it, we hate it, and we keep coming back for more. We have the social drinkers, binge drinkers, alcoholics, and those who have the bottle in secr…

Does birth control make you gain weight? The research says no. And that, my friends, is the sound of a million women screaming and throwing things at their monitors. Occasionally I read a piece of research that ma…

The latest study to chronicle the percentage of people overweight in 194 countries was done in 2007. Since countries differ in total population, the study had to take the total percentage of overweight people in each c…

In one of my previous posts, I shared the warning I got from my doctor about taking pills (mine were painkillers) with juice. A lot of you asked about the affects other liquids have on pills, so I did a little re…

Though they were a bit radical, famous romantics like Emerson and Thoreau weren't so far off when believing that nature is where we connect best with ourselves - they were right when they said that being in nature has he…

Healthkicker How do you fight boredom when exercising? healthkicker.com

Healthkicker This was sent to us by a healthkicker reader:In a CBS News Article, the idea of children "smoking Smarties" is brought to attention. Apparently a new child fad, kids all over the nation are beginning to cr…

After being on vacation for a week, I've realized that my eating habits have shifted from good to just okay. Part of being on vacation, to me at least, is being able to eat and do what I please with my food - I conside…

OK, we know that fish is good for us. But some of the fish in your supermarket or fish store is really not good for your health. In fact it can be downright dangerous.Happy fish Little did I know that 45 percent of…

There are two types of diabetes but the symptoms for both of these can be very similar. Having diabetes means that you have a high amount of glucose in your blood and not enough cells. It is critical to detect s…

Check out this crazy picture of a grenade embedded in someone's forehead: Picture from Flickr The source didn't say whether or not the person was alive but just looking at the picture, I have to cringe. It looks e…

Healthkicker Do you think you have a balanced diet? healthkicker.com

I was recently prescribed painkillers for a toothache and was warned not to drink any sort of fruit juice with the pills. Now, as someone who lives on grapefruit and apple juice, I was a little distraught. Doctor k…

I'm twenty, and I already have wrinkles. Not deep ones, but there are defiant lines forming under my eyes and around my mouth. When I first noticed them, I did a little panicking, then set out to find what is up with…

Healthkicker Have you ever had success on a diet program? If so what program was it? healthkicker.com

Spring is here, for many of us at least, and so that means no more snow or cold dreary days. Instead we can look forward to flowers blooming and spending time outdoors. With that in mind, here are some beautiful pictu…

We are continually inhaling residues from petrochemicals, plastics and pesticides. At no time in the earth's history has the average person had to live in a more polluted environment. Along with the environmental…

Check out this funny video of Jason Alexander (George Costanza on Seinfeld) promoting the McDonald's McDLT burger. Just like his hair, that burger didn't last too long: What's funnier the concept of the actual burg…

Last year, I became ill with a long-term respiratory disorder. Now, thanks to finding the right medication, I have it under control and can do most of the things I want to. But because of my condition, I got out…

Healthkicker In what area of the body do you gain the most weight?

With the recession in full swing, it’s hard to pay the prices most of us were accustomed to paying for healthy foods. The price of produce, fruit, and veggies seem to be ever-increasing, and it’s much easier to buy…

In case you hadn't noticed, it's nearly impossible to set aside the time you need at the gym each day. It seems there are always more "important" things to be doing. When you do get into the gym, avoid these 7…

Sneezing, stuffy head, runny nose, itchy eyes are all signs of allergies. With spring on its way many are jumping to get outdoors and have some fun. But many others are dreading the annoying springtime allergy sy…

Grocery shopping is something we all have to do, even though choosing the right foods can be very hard indeed. The tips below can help assist you make things easier than ever before:

I used to bite my nails constantly. In classes, I sat at my desk as the teacher spoke and gnawed my fingernails down until they started bleeding, and no matter how many times I told myself to stop, I kept going des…

Eating is a part of life. Your body gets its nutrients from food. Sometimes we can go overboard with our eating habits and it can result in gaining weight. One issue with food is emotional eating. The problem of emo…

Healthkicker A new study published by Harvard scientists showed that happiness can be contagious among social networks of friends and family. "Knowing someone who is happy makes you 15.3% more likely to be ha…

He’s back! The comments were mostly positive last week, so it seems I’m not the only Healthkicker blogger who finds Richard Simmons hilarious. This week, he visits the Ellen DeGeneres show and leans on a curtain, think…

If you've ever been mad at yourself for not being in shape and complain about being fat when you're really not, you should be glad you don't have any of the following diseases: 10. Alien Hand Syndrome (AHS) In the mo…

My chiropractor in Nebraska was all about adjusting the human body back to its god given form. The way we're supposed to physically look and function as human beings. Nowadays, our current American lifestyle has h…

Check out this video from YouTube on some of the classic cereal ads that just might make you say wtf: What is your favorite cereal brand? Any of these videos seem trippy to you?

I came across a great site today, wisegeek.com, that displayed some foods that equal 200 calories. I was surprised by some, and made me think twice about all the crap I consume on a regular basis. Here are some pict…

I know, I know. It's common knowledge that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I understand the concept completely. Food to humans is like gasoline to a car. Eating breakfast gives you the e…

When my boyfriend moved six hours away, I lost weight, without trying. Why? Because I started cooking meals at home instead of eating out. Was I eating less? No! I just knew what I was eating. It drives me nu…

Waking up in the morning can sometimes be a drag. Many reach for the toothbrush first thing in the morning but sometimes the taste of the toothpaste can make the morning worse. With that in mind I wish Colgate or Cr…

I've never been very fit, I was always the kid that got the special clap at the end of the race, because half the parents didn't think I'd make it across the line. I was slow, clumsy and uncoordinated thus heightenin…

Healthkicker If all of a sudden you were diagnosed with a life threatening disease, do you keep it to yourself or tell your family and friends? healthkicker.com

I experienced the effects of Bush's policies, which took effect in December 2007, because I was still in college at that time. Before Bush's changes took effect, I could (and did) get birth control at my college heal…

Healthkicker In the past month, how many days did you go to the gym or exercise at home?

I can't believe the video. I mean, I know it's real. It must be. But a world without Burger King's Whopper, or McDonald's Big Mac? Seems unreal.

Yesterday I went to my third Pilates class in the city. All three have been taught by different teachers, and so each class has been a completely difference experience. So far I prefer my teacher in Birmingha…

Healthkicker Question Of The Day: There's this awesome website called Your Real Age, that compares your actual age in years to how old your body actually feels based on your eating habits, lifestyle habits and diet…

I moved to Manhattan two months and 12 days ago. Before that, when I was living and interning in Birmingham, I had a regular workout routine. I did Pilates twice a week and cardio three times a week. Then I got to NY…

I just got a stye on my eye lid right below my eye lashes. I'm not sure how I got it because I've been washing my face well lately and making sure I take all my makeup off.However, I've been going through kind of a ha…

I love having fresh fruit in my fridge - especially in the summer. Melon, berries, bananas, kiwi... Yum. I'll chop it up and throw it into a huge bowl for a nice refreshing fruit salad. But lets face it - I'm not…

I can't eat normally without gaining weight. I've tried time and time again to eat normally but I end up gaining weight, freaking out, and then starving myself again. It's really become a vicious cycle. I know all…

Healthkicker This message was written by a Healthkicker reader: The last month or so, I've been trying to cut back on pizza to decrease the amount of carbs I eat per day. It's hard for me because it's my favorite…

I have always believed that financial health and physical health are equally necessary to produce a great life-style. Some of the most difficult times in my life have come when I wasn’t feeling well in one area or…

As if you needed one more reason to love having the Obamas in the White House, this story was published in the New York Times yesterday. True, G Dubs was always pretty health conscious, at least about himself—he exer…

So let's do it like they do in the... Durex commercial? Always the proponents of safe sex here at Healthkicker, we thought this commercial from Durex was hilaaaarious. It shows that sex isn't all serious, and that sa…

Eating less may make you slimmer but researchers are saying it will also improve your memory. Two for the price of one – cool. This is the first study that links improved memory to calorie reduction. Researchers st…

This is why I hate soda, especially Pepsi Twist: Do you drink soda? What's your favorite brand, (we know it's not Pepsi Twist)? healthkicker.com

Mom always told you to make sure you chew your food before you swallow. 48-year old Boris Isayev choked to death after winning Russia's pancake eating competition, part of Maslenitsa, Russia's end of winter/beginning…

It's common knowledge that urinating on a jellyfish sting helps relieve pain, but why? Urine is a neutral pH balanced liquid (unless you're sick, in which case it can become more acidic) that can be used as antise…

In the Asian culture (and probably others too), it is "polite" (for a lack of a better word) to show your appreciation for good grub by burping after you eat at the table. You aren't required to say "excuse me" or sh…

Healthkicker Question Of The Day: What was the most weight you've ever lost? How did you do it? healthkicker.com

Lately, there's been a lot of talk amongst my friends about whether or not a mutual friend is an alcoholic. I say no, but a lot of them say yes. I will admit this - I do think he drinks in excess. He's likely to…

I can't get out of the ocean once I'm in it. Wave jumping, treading, swimming... anything involving the ocean absolutely attracts me. Except sharks. I could do without those. Seriously though. Swimming in the o…

After a long discussion with my roommate discussing how excited we are about the Summer and our impending tans, I told her that I'm going to need to invest in some good sunscreen for the season. After debating betwee…

Yesterday for the first time in a decade a girl finally ate food. Tia Mae McCarthy had a strange aversion to food for 10 years before finally deciding to try things this past Christmas. For ten years, she was fed…

Want to get in shape? Want to look good? Well try these exercises and you just might get into the best shape of your life: Do you think any of those exercises were ever effective? Which one did you think was the funn…

A big reason to buy organic food is for the absence of pesticides, but if you can't afford organic, how can you avoid eating dangerous poisons? Fresh non-organic fruits and vegetables always carry of th…

Healthkicker Question Of The Day: What are 5 foods & drinks, you can't live without? healthkicker.com

1. A power nap can help you relax Established research regarding power nap confirmed that even a few minutes of sleep after food is enough to revive our body and mind. As investigations have shown, a 40 minutes sl…

So, if you know me, you know I have battled with horrible body image for years. I used to be a dancer when I was younger. I used to do 360 crunches and wonder why we were doing them because I couldn't feel a thing.…

Healthkicker A message from one of our readers. The last few weeks, I've been skipping lunch and dinner by mistake. Sometime I'm doing something online or watching TV and I forget about eating. When I finally d…

When I eat raw fruit, my lips feel like they swell a little, and my throat gets irritated, but not to the point of closing up and cutting off my breathing. If I bite into something with skin, my gums also sta…

We've all heard the argument of vegan vs. meat eating before, but what are the real pros and cons to an all-natural diet? Pros: - An overweight vegan is hard to find. - Compared to people who eat animal products, vega…

Healthkicker A Healthkicker reader sent us this message: The last few weeks, I've been working out on a normal schedule every other day but I've noticed that I'm getting tired faster. I haven't drastically change…

When we talk about manly food, there are a couple of adjectives that quickly spring to mind: salty, greasy, meaty and, above all, unhealthy and it should go well with beer. So you go down to your favorite bar or…

Many people believe that changing your professional and personal life is just a matter of luck. Either will come to your life or not. Experts and successful can confirm that there is no luck. There are some specific…

Healthkicker Question Of The Day: What were you afraid of as a child? Are you still afraid of it today? mancouch.com

Do you want to change your life but making great promises and setting goals is not actually “your type” and you forget them easily? Start with small daily habits that can really make a difference. Follow the 10 h…

Many individuals claim that eating the right kind of food is enough to have good nutrition. Unfortunately, we happen to disagree. Eating the right food choices is indeed good for your overall health but we believe t…

I've always heard girls (and guys, too) talk about how they're "so lucky that they have a fast metabolism," because they can "eat whatever they want." While most of the time I sit there, envious of the genetic ma…

I'm not the only college student I know that tosses and turns when trying to fall asleep. Between staying up late, waking up early and midday naps, my sleep pattern is way off and worse than it's ever been. I bough…

The first step for changing your life is to get rid of negative feelings. Negative feelings can prevent you from thinking and behaving reasonably. They prevent you from seeing objectively and prospectively the situa…

So you think that milk is good for your body? If yes then you really need to read this article in its entirety. Far too many people believe this, and I cannot blame anybody for this because the dairy industry is r…

Healthkicker Question Of The Day: A Healthkicker reader sent us this message: I wanted to know if anyone has had any negative effects to the birth control pill and if there are any long term effects. I'm thinking…

My friend recently started taking the Mega-T Ultra Green Tea Diet Pills. When I first heard that she was taking these, I was crazy upset with her - I talked to her many times about how dangerous diets pills can be for y…

Here’s ten simple suggestions from the experts at the clinic for keeping your brain in shape, without breaking a sweat: Challenge yourself with new activities. Try a crossword puzzle, take a class, or build someth…

Healthkicker Question Of The Day:After watching a clip of Conan O'Brien's interview with Louis CK, I realized that everything the comedian had to say is so true. Are you happy? healthkicker.com

Healthkicker Question Of The Day: We had a Healthkicker reader send us this message: As a college student, sometimes I find it hard to get enough nutrients and vitamins from dining hall food. I have to always tak…

My brother has tried antibiotics for his acne, but nothing has worked so far. His dermatologist just prescribed him Accutane, which he starts in just a couple of days. With Accutane, he'll have to have his blood ta…

This next video has got to be one of the dumbest ideas anyone has ever come up with: It's things like this that just get you wondering about people's laziness. Maybe if the Japanese would use the stairs, that are…

I'm a 16-year-old girl. I'm 165 cm (5'5") tall, and I weigh 62 kg (138 pounds). Average, right? But not good enough for me. I should be happy because: - I have a family that loves me and I have a great relati…

I've pretty much stopped worrying about remembering anything these days because of Google. Who needs to remember that obscure movie about revenge with Willem Dafoe?* I just Google it. So does this mean that th…

Healthkicker Question Of The Day: I always thought lotion was commonly used for dry skin. Hell, I even use it during the cold winter months, but my sister disagrees. She prefers baby oil to lotion. Does it rea…