Apr 28th, 2025 - Everyone loves sweets, and added sugar is hidden in many seemingly healthy foods. But changing your habits might be easier than you think. It's never a bad idea to reduce your sugar intake, given its links to diabetes and increased cancer risk . But also—sugar tastes really good. Whether you love pounding energy drinks at your 9-to-5, tend to glaze your meat in honey or sugary marinades, or are simply an ice cream guy, it's likely that you're consuming more sugar than you realize. But by choosing natural sources of sugar, like fresh fruit, and slowly cutting back on processed sugars, ... [Read More]

Apr 27th, 2025 - Most people know you can live a healthy life with just one kidney, but not everyone realizes how important your kidneys really are. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in seven adults in the United States has chronic kidney disease. Your kidneys work around the clock to filter out waste and excess fluid, helping to prevent serious health problems like heart disease, infections, anemia, depression and even loss of appetite. Your diet and gut health play a major role in your overall health, especially when it comes to keeping your kidneys healthy. ... [Read More]

Apr 25th, 2025 - Every runner knows the first few minutes out the door can feel the most challenging. But there's a surefire way to make your run feel better from the start and to stay stronger until the end: Kicking it off with a dynamic warm-up . Beginning with about five minutes of fast-paced but controlled movements through a wide range of motion primes your body to handle the demands of running. In addition to literally increasing the temperature of your tissues, which helps them work more efficiently and effectively, you'll ramp up your heart rate, boost blood flow, and fire up connections between your ... [Read More]

Apr 25th, 2025 - All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Yes, running more—provided you build up gradually over time—can make you a better runner, but it's hardly the only piece of the puzzle. Strength training is a huge factor too: Adding it to your routine can help ward off injury and improve performance, helping make your runs more consistent, potentially faster, and also, well, a lot more enjoyable. That's why when we set out to create SELF's Learn to ... [Read More]

Apr 25th, 2025 - Editor's note: Dana Santas, known as the " Mobility Maker ," is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and mind-body coach in professional sports, and is the author of the book "Practical Solutions for Back Pain Relief." If your knees hurt, your first instinct is probably to blame them. But in many cases, knee pain isn't about the knees at all — it's about what's happening above them. Tight hips, especially when combined with weakness or poor control, can alter how your legs move, forcing your knees to compensate in ways they're not designed to. Over time, this added stress ... [Read More]

Apr 25th, 2025 - Consider a plant-forward diet to help reduce your risk of breast cancer. That's the finding from a new French research study, presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. For the study, more than 65,000 French female participants (average age 53) completed nutritional questionnaires in 1993 and again in 2005. The women were classified as following either a mostly animal-based diet or a diet that's mostly plant-based. Researchers found that those who consumed a healthy, primarily plant-based diet saw their risk for developing any type of breast cancer drop by ... [Read More]

Apr 24th, 2025 - Strengthen your arms and shoulders with the tools you were born with. You don't need a pricey gym membership or a set of weights to start building —just your own body. Whether you're tight on time, space, or equipment, bodyweight arm exercises offer a surprisingly powerful way to challenge your muscles and improve functional strength from wherever you are. And no, "just" using your body weight doesn't mean it'll be easy. "Think about how time completely stops when you're holding a ," says fitness coach Corrine Carnation, CPT. "When your arms start to shake and you're wondering how ... [Read More]

Apr 23rd, 2025 - "Dinosaur Time' is a no-frills way to get more vitamins, minerals, and fiber into your diet — without the hassle of prep or dishwashing. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and arugula are a good source of fiber: A typical serving of baby spinach (about 2 cups) contains 2 grams.  Daily recommendations can vary based on age and size, but 28 grams a day is a good goal. Leafy greens like spinach contain vitamins A and C, potassium, folate, iron, and carotenoids. The carotenoids in spinach are anti-inflammatory and help support cell function and good vision. Severe Kidney Disease ... [Read More]