5-Minute, 5 Move Total Body Workout

Firm your abs, legs, butt and more with these pumped-up planks. What: Plank. But better than plain plank. Trainer David Kirsch adds moves so you bonus-tone other body parts for an allover workout. Efficiency, up; boredom, down. You’ll Need: A set of 5-pound weights How: Do 3 sets of 12 reps of each multitasking move three times a week on alternate days. Reach for It Start in a side plank, left...

3 Beginner-Friendly HIIT Workouts

Just because you’re new to fitness doesn’t mean high intensity interval training isn’t for you. Otherwise known as HIIT, these fast-paced workouts have been shown to torch tons of calories in a short amount of time—so you don’t need to spend hours in the gym. This type of training will have you alternating between periods of maximum effort (think: 20 seconds of jumping jacks) and short recovery. DailyBurn:...

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Curry

Savor a home-cooked and vegetarian-friendly meal with your loved ones! Our slow-cooker sweet potato curry is high in flavor, but low in calories, fat and sodium. The yogurt adds a bit of protein and tanginess that will also cool the heat if you’re using a spicy curry powder.     Print     Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Curry Ingredients 1 medium (110 grams)...

What to Do When You Blow Your Calorie Budget

So you splurged … now what? Should you just throw in the towel and continue on with your day of indulgence: tall stack of pancakes for breakfast, all-you-can-eat buffet for lunch, and dessert after dinner. Not so fast. Before you beat yourself up for blowing it, or find yourself stuck in a day of gluttony, check out these steps to get back on track when you’ve blown your calorie budget. Make Your...

Healthier Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Looking for a tasty, easy side to accompany your favorite sandwich or burger recipe? Or, searching for a finger food that’s comforting and always welcome at a cocktail party? Try this baked sweet potato fry recipe. The spices lend a sweet, smoky, savory flavor to the fries and all you have to do is pop them in the oven for 35–40 minutes—no unhealthy and messy deep-fat frying necessary! from...

16 Must-Make Recipes for 2016–Under 375 Calories

Ring in the New Year with a resolution for healthier eats, and let MyFitnessPal provide you with the recipes. Moist oatmeal muffins, baked chicken tenders and refreshing spring rolls–who knew the road to good health is lined with delicious food? From savory to sweet, let these 16 flavorful recipes make you excited about cooking. Cheers to a new year and a healthier you! 1. One-Pot Chicken with...

So You Want To…Lose Weight Next Month

You have a MyFitnessPal account and you’re feeling ready to start losing some weight? You’ve come to the right place! When you work towards a weight loss goal on MyFitnessPal, you’re part of a community of over 75 million people who have used the app to lose over 150 million pounds. Weight loss is what MyFitnessPal does best. Here are seven ways you can start losing weight with MyFitnessPal...

Pea Pesto Pasta

Liven up your pasta dish with our light and budget-friendly pesto sauce. What’s the secret? Peas and walnuts stand in for the more expensive pine nuts. Combined with sweet basil and savory cheese, our creamy pea pesto sauce is a crowd favorite.     Print     Pea Pesto Pasta Ingredients 1/2 pound (8 ounces or 225 grams) dry 100% whole wheat pasta 3...

7 Life Hacks for the Last Days of December

Don’t get snowed by the December doldrums – put the ‘win’ in winter. Feels like we’re just racing to the end of the year! Shorter days, colder nights, and a schedule packed with holiday events can make it a little tricky to keep fitness and nutrition in mind. Last time, we talked about ways to hack November healthy. This time let’s look at how to put a spin on a few traditional activities or methods...

What To Say When People Push Food on You

“Just have one.” “But it’s the holidays!” “You can have a little.” Staying true to your nutrition plan is hard. But with all the parties, feasts, and indulgence, staying on plan during the holidays is Rubik’s Cube hard. And to make matters worse, a lot of us face pressure, both subtle and overt, from our friends and family to toss the Rubik’s Cube out the window and eat cake for breakfast. This...

The Secret to Making Resolutions That Stick

The New Year is quickly coming, so let the resolution setting begin! Lose weight, get to the gym twice a week, find a better job or relationship, save money, and watch less Netflix are just some of the vows we tend to make. “This is going to be the year I do it … I’m going to change my life, just watch me,” we often say (at least to ourselves). The question we need ask ourselves is how many times...

The Holiday Challenge You’ll Want to Take On Today

It can be easy to lose the spirit of the holidays in the hustle and bustle of the season. With commitments to family, friends, work, and so much scheduled time to celebrate, we can quickly become burnt out and forget the true meaning of the season. This time of year should remind us all to celebrate the light in those around us (translated as, jyoti, in Sanskrit). As you hurry through airports,...

Healthy Habit Forming Gifts to Give Yourself

When I was 10, my grandmother told me, “Don’t buy anything for yourself around Christmas. You never know what Santa will bring you…” Strangely enough, this set me up for disappointment because Santa didn’t seem to know that what I wanted more than anything was a real lightsaber. Maybe Darth Vader was intercepting the mail between LaFayette, GA and the North Pole. Much like a Jedi must make their...

5-Move Bodyweight Routine

A total-body workout doesn’t have to take an hour or more if you pick the right moves. If you’re looking for a straight forward strength training routine that you can do at home without any special equipment, this workout is for you. Former commando Jon Stratford walks you through how to execute each move with correct form so you avoid injury. These moves aren’t easy, but Jon patiently points out...

10-Minute Treadmill Workout for Runners and Walkers

Super instructor and treadmill whisperer David Siik is the creator of Equinox’s Precision Running class. He put together a quick, non-boring indoor running routine that will burn fat and leave you feeling exhausted—but exhilarated! “The inclines are there to tone your legs and lift your butt,” he says. If you’re not ready to trade the track for a treadmill, you can do this routine outdoors—instead...

Italian Meatball Soup

This cozy soup is quick—less than 30 minutes from pantry to plate—and loaded with protein and fiber. The shortcut is to start with frozen meatballs. To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, substitute with meatless meatballs and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.      Print     Italian Meatball Soup Ingredients 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided 30...

6 Ways to Modify Squats and Lunges for Bad Knees

One very important reason for exercising is to improve the way we feel and move every day. We want to be able to play with our children, carry the groceries, and do our gardening without pain or discomfort. Think of how many times you squat throughout your day or walk up the stairs. Squats and lunges are functional movements that show up in our daily lives, and can be painful if you have sustained...

The Truth About Cheese

Cheese gets a bad rap. Probably because it’s so delicious, and nothing that delicious can actually be good for you. Right? Whenever someone proclaims she’s a big cheese lover, we think that addiction will go straight to her waistline—but that’s not necessarily the case. Cheese can totally be a part of a well-balanced, healthy diet. “I am a huge fan of cheese,” says Keri Gans, M.S., R.D., author...

10 Quick Dinner Stir-Fry Recipes Under 280 Calories

Who needs take-out when you can make a healthier and just-as-tasty version in the comfort of your own kitchen? Something magical happens when you sizzle up lean protein, bright veggies, and savory sauces–we simply can’t get enough! Since stir-frys can be a salt trap, go for low-sodium soy sauce when you’re shopping for ingredients. Indulge in one of these 10 quick dinner stir-fry recipes next time...

Open-Faced Steak Sandwich

The sizzling skirt steak harmonizes deliciously well with refreshing, crisp bell peppers and caramelized onions. Serve on a slice of warm, toasty Italian bread with melted cheddar and you have a simple but satisfying lunch.     Print     Open-Faced Steak Sandwich Ingredients 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1/2 pound (225 grams) skirt steak, trimmed 1/2 medium...

5 Tips for Building Muscle on a Vegetarian Diet

The goal for every athlete’s training plan is better performance. Whether you run, play a team sport or compete in CrossFit, you probably want enhance your strength and improve your body composition. For a long time, it was commonly thought that the only important food group needed to build muscle was meat and lots of it. With the rise in popularity of vegetarian diets and scientific evidence supporting...

So You Want to Start … Running With Your Dog

They call dog “man’s best friend” for a reason. When it comes to companionship, you’d be hard pressed to find better company. They sit at your feet while you eat, helpfully cleaning up scraps as they fall to the floor. They cuddle up on the couch and watch television with you at night. They are even there to chaperone chores like yard work and vacuuming. If it were up to your dog, he or she would...

30-Minute Indoor Cycling Workout

Talk about a spin cycle for your health: The average indoor cycling class may burn between 400 to 600 calories per session, and indoor cycling in general may lead to weight loss and improved cardiovascular fitness , as well as more muscle definition. That said, these sweat sessions do come with a few drawbacks—we’re looking at you, pricy membership fees and less-than-convenient class times. But...