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Health and wellness


If you’re looking for tips to improve your strength, endurance or run times, you’ll find them here. Our Runner’s Life and Military Muscle columns can be found here, along with health stories and workout tips from military mixed martial artists, triathlon champions and more.

Health and wellness


  • Body Shop: Time for new shoes? 5 tips for finding the best fit
    Those ratty running shoes you’ve owned since boot camp won’t cut it if you want to score well on your fitness test. Lacing up the right shoes could improve your run time and help you...
  • Kevlar for the Mind: Some don’t want deployments to end
    A. For most service members, preparing to come home from deployment is an exciting time. Thoughts are consumed with being reunited with family, buying that new motorcycle or car, or tossing back a...
  • Kevlar for the mind: Post-deployment reactions may not always be PTSD
    Witnesses’ typical reactions can range from laughter to using disparaging terms — “crazy,” “shell shock,” “fried” — as they walk in the opposite...
  • Kevlar for the Mind: Anger needs to be kept in check
    Do you get upset at every little hassle that crosses your path? Do most of your conversations tend to be about the stupidity of other people? Have you noticed your friends and family spending less...
  • Military Muscle: Recovery time is key to improvement
  • Military muscle: To train with a purpose, try adventure racing
    A. Adventure racing may fit the bill. It’s a team-oriented competitive event that combines two or more disciplines, most commonly mountain biking, running/trekking and paddling. You can’t...
  • Kevlar for the Mind: Coping with the guilt of taking a life
    In the movie “Unforgiven,” Clint Eastwood said, “It’s a hell of a thing, killin’ a man — you take away all he’s got and all he’s ever gonna have.”
  • Training? Take your tyke
    If you want to combine training time and family time, Baby Jogger — maker of baby jogging strollers — has a deal for you.
  • Kevlar for the Mind: Adjusting to military life takes time, effort
    Regardless of age, rank or branch of service, adjusting to military life can be a challenge for most any service member. In the first few months, thoughts of wanting to give up and feelings of...
  • The buzz about caffeine
    It is, quite simply, the national drug of choice. And if you’re like most Americans, you’ve already gotten your fix today. Probably a few times. Brew it, pop it, chew it, eat it, chug it...
  • On the good ship Caffeine Buzz
    BREMERTON, Wash. — Naval Base Kitsap is abuzz. The aircraft carrier John C. Stennis towers over the pier just across from the attack submarine Seawolf. Both are just back from their tours of...
  • Caffeine, I wish I could quit you
    Feel like you’ve got an anxious monkey clinging to your back? Does he howl in the morning until he has his coffee, screaming in your ear through the afternoon, banging the mug until it’s...
  • Body Shop: Pain, pain, go away
    A Navy SEAL might not let a cracked collarbone keep him out of the field, but most of us are slower to bounce back when injury strikes. The trick is knowing the right way to rehab.
  • Monkey do
    About a year ago, the Semper Fi Fund helped connect Tim, a former Marine injured in Iraq, with a new aide — someone to fetch things he cannot reach on high shelves, pick up stuff he drops on...
  • CrossFit: Just what the doc ordered
    If you haven’t heard of CrossFit, the fitness philosophy that’s
  • What is fitness?
    CrossFit founder Greg Glassman offers his ideal picture of world-class fitness:
  • Caution: Intense workout ahead
    With any fitness routine — and especially an intense one like CrossFit — you’ve gotta make sure you’re healthy enough to do it. Because even if you’re in tip-top shape,...
  • 7 steps to begin coping with wife’s infidelity
    A. Infidelity is one of the toughest things to overcome personally and as a couple. In the U.S., some experts report that as many as one-half of men and one-third of women cheat on their spouse.
  • Take it all off
    First of all, you’re doing it all wrong. That cheap, disposable razor and the shaving cream you bought at the exchange is leaving your face battered and bruised and full of ingrown hairs. You...
  • With shaving, technique is key
    My beard has been a point of contention throughout my time in the Army because I often look as though I need to shave even after struggling every morning to tame the beast. My frustration mounts and...
  • Some good products to try
  • Kevlar for the mind: Ensuring friend’s safety trumps all
    A. I understand your concern. However, ensuring the safety of one of your troops always trumps the desire to preserve the supervisor/subordinate relationship. Determining whether a person is suicidal...
  • Military Muscle: Steps to bounce back from Achilles tear
    A There normally would be a scheduled post-op walk-to-run progression program as part of your rehabilitation, determined by your doctor and physical therapist. It usually begins two or three months...
  • Kevlar for the mind: Don’t ignore ‘red flag’ symptoms
    It’s human nature to be con¬cerned about our health when a new physical or psychological symptom surfaces. But it’s impor¬tant to remember that psychiatric disorders are a...
  • Bodyshop: The sweaty truth
    A little sweat can be a very good thing: You wouldn’t want to ride your bike, run a marathon or even go on a patrol on a hot summer’s day without it.
  • Defend yourself from the dark side of the sun
    Everyone knows the summer sun can hurt you in ways far beyond the immediate pain of a nasty burn. No doubt, all those soaked-up rays can turn into carcinogenic killers, but debate is intensifying...
  • If you must, use tanning bed
    If you gotta get that tan, some experts argue that tanning beds are the lesser of two evils. Others insist the high-intensity bulbs can do more damage than the sun. The Food and Drug Administration...
  • Lessons from a life at sea
    Dan Waterman was 26 and a freshly minted ensign in the Navy when he noticed the first lesion on his forehead. He got it checked and was surprised to learn he had cancer.
  • 10 facts about sunscreen
    Good body armor is a no-brainer on the battlefield. The same thing is true when protecting yourself against the sun. Michael Murphy, a former Army dermatologist and now a civilian skin cancer...
  • Military muscle: Working core muscles — and massaging others
    A. The key to giving your core a good workout — and increasing your overall strength, agility and endurance — is to add instability to your exercises. Here are a few ways to do that:
  • Kevlar for the mind: ‘Family time’ policy needs strengthening
    A. I heard this sentiment consistently from service members as an active-duty psychologist. It’s a complaint I had myself as an officer assigned to a highly deployed medical unit that got only...
  • Marine war vet begins cross country journey
    SEATTLE — A Marine captain-turned-author began a 3,000-mile bicycle trek June 15 that he hopes will be as much an inner journey of the soul as a cross-country campaign to encourage a national...
  • The nation’s capital is now a fitness capital, too
    The Obamas are living in the right city if they want to stay buff.
  • Get ready to rock
    Top-roping is the safest and most affordable introduction to outdoor rock climbing, and with a minimal investment in new gear — between $500 and $1,000 for an intermediate setup — you can...
  • Stay seated with these techniques
    According to the experts at USA Cycling, five techniques are essential for a successful mountain biking experience:
  • This bike stacks up
    Looking for a mountain bike that’s just like you — tough, tactical and totally portable?
  • Geared for fun
    QUANTICO, Va. — Looking for an adventurous alternative to help stoke your fitness routine? Mountain biking might be just the ticket.
  • Burn more calories during your workout
    When you stick to a routine, it’s easy to become, well, stuck.
  • As flu scare ebbs, will hand-washing dry up?
    In summer 2003, researchers descended on airport bathrooms in the U.S. and Canada and discovered a dirty truth: More than 20 percent of restroom visitors left without washing their hands.
  • Calorie-burning potential of brown fat puzzles scientists
    Researchers are looking for ways to manipulate a special type of body fat, called “brown fat,” to help people burn more calories.
  • Kevlar for the Mind: Having trouble sleeping? Deeper problems could be to blame
    Getting adequate sleep in the military can be a challenge. From their first days in uniform, recruits are conditioned to view sleep as a privilege dispensed by those responsible for their training....
  • Kevlar for the Mind: Dealing with the stresses of your life
    Editor’s note: With this issue, we roll out a new biweekly column written by Bret A. Moore, a clinical psychologist and former active-duty Army officer who deployed twice to Iraq. The column is...
  • Bodyshop: Sweet talk: Know the truth about sugar
    A spoonful of sugar may help your health — and even your workout. Here are surprising truths you may not know about the sweetener.
  • Bodyshop: ACL repair: Not just for young athletes anymore
    Mark Watts is almost impossible to slow down. He wants to play golf, shoot hoops, compete in minimarathons and play racquetball.
  • Sleep starved
    Slipping by on six hours of sleep? Don’t. Military sleep experts say not getting a full eight hours can put you and your battle buddies at the same risk as having a few beers before driving a...
  • Body builders told to stop using Hydroxycut
    WASHINGTON — Government health officials are warning body builders and dieters to immediately stop using Hydroxycut, a widely sold supplement linked to cases of serious liver damage and at...
  • Bodyshop: Beat workout boredom by mixing it up
    When your brain abandons your exercise routine, your body is soon to follow. Here’s how to burst out of almost any rut, thanks to the editors of Fitness magazine.
  • Why we serve
    Sally Spencer knows what it means to have a dog in the fight. The widowed schoolteacher and mother of five boys from Rockford, Ill., has seen each of her sons go off to serve his country. Soon,...
  • Fitness fix-ups
    Knowing your personal limits is a good thing. Self-awareness, after all, is a gift. But when it comes to fitness, confusing realistic limits with potential possibilities can lead to selling yourself...
  • Save now!
    The unsung perks of being in uniform are the many military-only deals and discounts businesses offer. We found some great new bargains on cars, computers, vacations and more — all there just...
  • Bang for your bucks
    Here are three strategies for maximizing your discount:
  • Soon: A ‘rewards portal’
    While service members who enjoy the hunt can scour up their own deals and discounts, many bargains — like those currently offered at Disney and Universal Studios Hollywood — are available...
  • Bodyshop: Report says FDA lacks authority over supplements
    The Food and Drug Administration does not have the information, resources or recall ability necessary to adequately regulate dietary supplements, according to a Government Accountability Office...
  • Got peanut butter?
    Think twice before tossing that peanut-buttery mass of protein down your gullet. Thanks to the recent salmonella outbreaks from tainted peanut butter — responsible for several deaths, according...
  • Three-point slim-down plan
    To lose those holiday pounds, pro trainer Joe Carini recommends this three-month, three-exercise program to blast the fat.
  • A new you
    Dude, what happened?! Did you eat a bowling ball for the holidays? Are you suddenly expecting twins? Yeah, of course it shows. That must be like, what, 10 new pounds you’re trying to hide from...
  • Control your carbs
    Are you exactly the weight you want to be right now? Do you currently possess your ideal physique? If you’re like most people, you probably have a little extra “fluff” weighing you...
  • Banned in Okinawa
    Absinthe and a host of other legally obtained substances have been outlawed by Marine officials in Okinawa. Why can’t the Corps trust you to be responsible?
  • Raise your spirits
    Plenty of service members like good whiskey. And for many, if times or conditions are tough, even bad booze is deemed better than beer or wine.
  • Drink up as summer temps heat up
    Drinking enough water seems intuitive, but when it becomes an afterthought, people exercising or working outdoors can become dehydrated without knowing it.
  • New PT plan redefines ‘Army Strong’
    Fort Jackson, S.C. — An overhauled physical training program that links a soldier’s fitness and exercise to the demands of combat and long deployments is on its way to the operational...
  • No new PFT in the works
    Within six months, a proposed new physical fitness manual could be approved and made operational Army-wide. It would institutionalize workout routines aimed at getting soldiers in better condition...
  • Depression different for men, women
    By the fall of 1995, Eric Weaver seemed to be at the top of his game. He had the physique of a competitive bodybuilder and the bragging rights that accompanied his job as a sergeant on the Rochester,...
  • Woodruff still speaks up for troops
    Bob Woodruff struggles to talk about his work in raising awareness of traumatic brain injuries.
  • Study: Stress-management counseling improves recruits’ performance
    A study by a retired Navy captain found that Navy recruits graduated boot camp at higher rates when they received 45 minutes of stress-management counseling each week, and those recruits do just as...
  • If the bike fits ...
    The wind in the hair, the breeze on the face, the sweat on the brow, the pain in the knees, back, neck and backside. You might be able to eliminate some of the pain of bicycling by making sure your...
  • 5 steps to a better bike fit
    To ensure a pain-free ride, the American Physical Therapy Association recommends taking a closer look at these five areas of your bike:
  • Symbol of sacrifice
    Boots, rifle, helmet and bayonet.
  • Crush your next PT test
    Gunning for a better score on your next physical fitness test? Each week, our Military Muscle and Runner’s Life columnists share their secrets for success. Whether you’re hoping to build...
  • Gear test: 5 supercharged sunscreens
    Many of the newest sunscreens offer protection from both types of ultraviolet rays known to damage skin, UVA and UVB. We put five to the test to give you an idea what to expect:
  • Gels offer quick midworkout energy
    For many endurance-sport athletes on the move for an hour or more, topping off the fuel tank means eating food a spaceman would love — energy gels.
  • Sun protection boot camp
    From what SPF you should use to how to check yourself for odd skin growths, consider this your basic training in how to protect your body’s last line of defense from the sun.
  • 5 bright ideas to save your skin
    Shaping up your sun protection takes planning and practice. Here are a few ways to protect your body’s armor.
  • The rays that burn
    Ultraviolet radiation is the sun’s invisible “burning” rays that can cause skin cancer. Excess exposure to UV light can damage the DNA in skin cells and increase the risk for...
  • How to protect your body’s natural armor
    UVA vs. UVB: Know the difference
  • Laser tattoo removal is painful option for those feeling the sting of regret
    For 10 years, tattoo artist Steve Huntsberry has worked at his shop in Charlotte, N.C., removing tattoos with a laser and coming face to face every day with his customers’ big mistakes. He has...
  • 6 things to know before you un-ink
    Tattoo removal can be painful and expensive, so experts say people should think carefully and educate themselves before going under the laser.
  • New regulations rule out nearly all free removals for troops
    Whether it’s a Tijuana special or a daily reminder of a love long lost, tattoos often go awry. Such is the nature of having something permanently etched into your skin.
  • Marathon Training Guide ‘07
    Are you ready to tackle 26.2 miles? You will be after you finish our 24-week training program. We went to the experts to get the best advice on gear and training.
  • Think before you ink: Consider the ‘4 Cs’
    JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Rome was not built in a day.
  • Got an itch for ink, but no ideas? Find one online
    It happens like clockwork every payday weekend — the tattoo parlors in military towns fill up with troops who have a few hundred dollars in their pocket and the itch for new ink.
  • The new wave of mega-waters
    First they bottled it.
  • New microsized shooters offer big energy in small packages
    Does size matter?
  • Virtual memorial
    When Marine 1st Lt. Jared Landaker logged into his MySpace.com page Feb. 4, the helicopter pilot...
  • Not on MySpace? There are other memorial options
    Many of those who knew Marine Sgt. Adam Cann before he was killed a year ago will never be able to honor him on his MySpace
  • Sperm banks
    The nation’s three largest sperm bank companies:
  • Banking a legacy
    AUSTIN, Texas — Six-month-old Benton Drew Smith is the spitting image of his father, with the same blue eyes, fair hair and infectious grin.
  • Sperm storage Q&A
    Q How is it done?
  • Triathlon tips from a 4-time military champ
    OXNARD, Calif. — Timothy O'Donnell's days are a blur of swimming, biking and running.
  • New chewing gum packs a caffeine kick
    Two days.
  • Do high-caffeine drinks deliver?
    Maybe it's because of boring all-night guard duty on some cramped tower, overlooking miles and miles of sleep-inducing nothing. Or perhaps getting there and back in one piece is a 30-hour,...
  • The skinny on bulking up with fitness supplements
    Army Reserve Cpl. Carl Matthews knows a thing or two about bulking up.
  • Drink more water, lose more weight
    BOSTON — Dieters who replace sugary drinks with water lose an extra 5 pounds a year, and those who drink a few more cups of water a day increase weight loss by 2 pounds a year, a new study...
  • Weightlifting can break your heart
    A recent study found that, in some people, heavy weightlifting can lead to aortic dissection, the rare but deadly cardiac event that killed actor John Ritter.
  • The straight story on why trans fats are bad news
    From nutrition labels now being required to list them to New York City health officials banning them from restaurants, trans fats have been making a lot of headlines this year.
  • ‘Get down and give me 10’
    CrossFit breaks out well-rounded fitness into 10 main capacities. Focus on some and not others and things get out of balance. Think about the super-buff bodybuilder who can’t bend over or walk...
  • 9/11 Web sites offer chance to look back, take stock
    It’s been six years since the world changed.
  • Is 9/11 starting to become just another date on the calendar?
    Even if you wanted to forget what day it was, you couldn’t. When you write a check or schedule a play date or plan a meeting or make a reservation, there it is - printed on the calendar,...
  • Vegetarians find few choices in mess hall
    Army Staff Sgt. Liza Reiter feels like crying every time she enters the dining facility at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.
  • What you should be eating
    The Agriculture Department’s food guide pyramid — called MyPyramid — is helping Americans, young and old, to better understand how to eat healthfully, dietitians say.
  • Safer water bottles
    Chances are, every time you take a chug out of that reusable plastic water bottle in your rucksack, you’re ingesting trace amounts of bisphenol-A, or BPA, a chemical some scientists say can...

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