Did you know that research shows men are less likely than women to get preventative health screenings? Now is the perfect time to check in on your health, gentlemen!
And while you’re at it, give yourself the gift of good health whether you’re a dad, dad-to-be, or childfree.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.null
You survived winter. Now set yourself up for a food freedom summer with better sleep, fewer cravings, and the energy for friends, fun, and the sunny months ahead.
Start your life-changing journey with our next Community Cohort, kicking off April 29th. Whether it’s your first, second, or fifth Whole30, the Cohort’s additional support and connection with others doing the program will help you find success this Spring.
An amazing 99% of alumni said the Cohort was key to helping them maximize their Whole30 success. And you can be next!
Join the next Community Cohort by May 3rd, to experience:
Seven weeks of community and support that covers prep, Elimination, Reintroduction, and your transition to food freedom
Access to our supportive, private Slack community—a positive, shame-free, safe environment to do your Whole30 with others changing their lives in May
Exclusive daily video messages and other content from Whole30 CEO Melissa Urban and Whole30 HQ
Seven Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions on Slack with Melissa
Special Content Concierge service—with content links that lead directly to helpful web resources
Priority access to Whole30 HQ customer assistance
And more!
Changing your health, habits, and relationship with food is hard work, but you don’t have to do it alone. The May Community Cohort provides the support, community, and exclusive content to transform your life.
The pickleball revolution is upon us — want to get in on the fun? I’ll wager a jar of, well, pickles that you’ve heard of this rapidly growing sport. It’s everywhere these days, and with good reason: It’s easy to learn, fun to play and a solid workout. It also requires precious little equipment: All you need is a paddle, a ball and three friends. Right now, Amazon’s got an incredible deal on the first two requirements. For a limited time, and while supplies last, Amazon has the Franklin Sports Activator Pickleball Paddle and Ball Set for just $14. That’s $16 off the regular price and one of the best deals I’ve seen — though there are lots of other pickleball sets starting at around $40. Add this set to cart and kick off summer with a swing!
Both the paddles and balls are USA Pickleball Association–approved, meaning they’re the right size, weight and all that. So how does this set differ from one that costs more? Aren’t all pickleball paddles and balls created equal?
Not exactly. These paddles have a wood core that’s more likely to break during, er, a moment of frustration. Pricier paddles made of fiberglass or graphite can better withstand angry swats against the court.
Wood also weighs a little more; these paddles are about 10 ounces each, whereas fiberglass ones tend to be lighter, usually around 8 ounces. That may not sound like a huge difference, but you’ll definitely tire more quickly when swinging a heavier paddle.
Macy Meyer is a N.C. native who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2021 with a B.A. in English and Journalism. She currently resides in Charlotte, N.C., where she has been working as an Editor I, covering a variety of topics across CNET’s Home and Wellness teams, including home security, fitness and nutrition, smart home tech and more. Prior to her time at CNET, Macy was featured in The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer, INDY Week, and other state and national publications. In each article, Macy helps readers get the most out of their home and wellness. When Macy isn’t writing, she’s volunteering, exploring the town or watching sports.
ExpertiseMacy covers a variety of topics across CNET’s Home and Wellness teams, including home security, smart home tech, fitness, nutrition, travel, lifestyle and more.Credentials
Macy has been working for CNET for coming on 2 years. Prior to CNET, Macy received a North Carolina College Media Association award in sports writing.
There are some sneaky ways you can get more exercise every day.Cavan Images/Getty Images
I’m far from the first person to say it, but exercise is essential for our overall health. Exercise helps with boosting your mood, relieving stress, increasing energy, improving sleep quality and lowering your risk for diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and many more.
May 5, 2023 4:30 a.m. PT
I’m far from the first person to say it, but exercise is essential for our overall health. Exercise helps with boosting your mood, relieving stress, increasing energy, improving sleep quality and lowering your risk for diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and many more.
Our wellness advice is expert-vetted. Our top picks are based on our editors’ independent research, analysis, and hands-on testing. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
ExpertiseMacy covers a variety of topics across CNET’s Home and Wellness teams, including home security, smart home tech, fitness, nutrition, travel, lifestyle and more.Credentials
Macy has been working for CNET for coming on 2 years. Prior to CNET, Macy received a North Carolina College Media Association award in sports writing.
You might be wondering, if exercise is so important to our overall health, then why can it be so dang hard to do?
Over the years, I’ve found some easy tricks to get myself more active daily. And no, going to the gym and doing a hard-core weight workout isn’t required. There are actually sneaky ways to get more exercise day-to-day. Here’s my secret sauce.
OK, so this isn’t really a secret. Creating a regular habit of working out would be ideal — duh! It’s creating that habit that’s the tricky part. Here’s where I can help.
One of the most efficient ways to build a habit is through the Cue-Routine-Reward system. MIT researchers discovered the power of the neurological loop at the core of every habit. This “habit loop,” later coined by Charles Duhigg in his 2012 book The Power of Habit, consists of three parts: a cue, a routine and a reward.
This system can apply to building any habit, from drinking more water to waking up earlier. But it can certainly apply to creating a workout habit.
For example, say you want to wake up and go to the gym each morning before work. The cue, what triggers the habit, would be the morning and your alarm going off. (Choose a time that works best for you and be consistent. Using multiple cues like time of day and sound can increase your likelihood of performing your routine.)
Your routine, the habit or action you want to create and reinforce, would be getting up and changing into your workout clothes. This can help prevent you from going back to sleep and ensure you hit the gym since you’re already ready. And once you finish the routine (the exercise), you’ll be rewarded. This could appear in the form of endorphins as a bodily reward that can motivate us to do the routine again, or it could even be a tangible reward, like buying yourself new socks after a week of hitting your exercise goals or investing in a new yoga mat after a month of doing yoga each day.
Each person will have a different response to these three elements. It’s important to experiment with what cues and rewards work best for you to develop a consistent routine of training.
2. Start small
A lot of people assume they need to run themselves ragged in the gym to get more fit, but that’s really not true. All you need is about 30 minutes a day.
The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week — that breaks down to a little more than 20 minutes each day. They also recommend strength-training that works the major muscle groups at least two times a week. Thirty minutes is an ideal place to start to fulfill your weekly needs.
Habit stacking, popularized by James Clear in his book Atomic Habits, is a way to create small yet healthy habits. This term might be new to you, but it’s really straightforward: you “stack” the new behavior (exercising) onto a habit you already have to help you remember to do it. This will cause the combo to become a habit.
If you listen to a podcast every day, try going for a walk or jog while you listen. Waiting for your morning coffee to brew? Try stretching while you wait. Habit stacking can be used in a multitude of ways to make new fitness habits blend into your daily routine.
Exercise while catching up on your favorite podcast. Ivanko_Brnjakovic/Getty Images
4. Get active at work
Your work day doesn’t have to be totally sedentary. Rather than using your full lunch hour to eat, take some time to go to the gym, speed walk around the office or run errands.You can also break up the drudgery of the day by taking a walk during one-on-one meetings instead of sitting at a desk or conference room — anything to get up and get moving.
Try to get up every so often to stretch your legs: rather than emailing or Zooming coworkers, get up and talk to them in person if you can; use the stairs rather than the elevator; get up and refill your water every so often.
5. Do exercises you actually like
This is a big one. If you hate exercising, it might be because you aren’t doing workouts you enjoy. Very few people actually enjoy running around in circles for miles. So don’t.
Branch out and try different kinds of workouts until you find one you genuinely enjoy. Biking, surfing, paddle boarding, yoga, hiking, skiing, rock climbing, kayaking and ice skating are all fun activities that get your heart rate up. This will require you to go out of your comfort zone and to be patient as you try things out, but it’ll be worth it when working out no longer feels like a chore.
Exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore. gradyreese/Getty Images
6. Get active while watching TV
Let’s be honest, running on the treadmill is boring. Riding on a stationary bike is boring. Watching TV is way more fun. That’s why you should combine the two.
There’s no shame in catching up on your favorite show while hitting the gym. Trust me, I’ve been rewatching Game of Thrones on my phone while riding on the stationary bike each day. Not only does the entertainment keep my mind off the burn in my legs, but it pushes me to stay longer. Before downloading Netflix and HBO Max on my phone, I’d stay at the gym for 20 to 30 minutes. Now, I usually stay on the bike or treadmill for 50 to 60 minutes — until the episode is over.
7. Make it social
Exercise doesn’t need to be solitary. In fact, having a workout partner can help keep you motivated and hold you accountable in your routine. If you don’t have one buddy to join you, sign up for a workout class. The structure of working out in a group can push you to work harder while also introducing you to new people.
Workout classes can hold you accountable — and introduce you to new people. twinsterphoto/Getty Images
I recommend exploring the fitness course schedule at your local YMCA or gym, signing up for a boxing, dance or yoga class or purchasing a ClassPass membership, which can grant you access to thousands of health clubs in your city.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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