Many of us know about the benefits of stretching for our bodies. These benefits include increased flexibility, improved range of motion, stress relief, increased blood flow and circulation, and better posture. These all contribute to your body's overall health and wellness. Did you know that some stretches can also help you lose weight as well as get in better shape?

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed an updated version of the "nutrition facts" labels on all food products. Current concerns about Americans' eating habits and health concerns have prompted the FDA to take action. Obesity, and its related health and medical issues, have become widespread. The FDA's proposal promises benefits for millions of Americans who want to learn how to make better food choices, how to lose weight, and how to improve their overall health.

Are you one of many people who think the best diet plans for weight loss require you to eat bland, boring foods? If so, you'll be glad to know this is not the case! This scrumptious beef tenderloin recipe proves you can eat real food that tastes great and lose weight, too.

The next time someone tells you (hopefully in jest) to go take a hike, you should take them up on it. Why? For one thing, hiking is a fun and easy way to burn calories for weight loss and/or to get in shape. As well, you can enjoy some much-needed time outdoors when hiking. The change of scenery, combined with the beauty of nature and some fresh air, helps lift your mood while you're losing weight.

When thinking of easy ways to eat healthy and/or how to lose weight fast, many people mistakenly believe eating fat-free foods is going to help them. However, this is a potentially dangerous myth. Removing most or all the fats from your diet in order to lose weight simply doesn't work. In fact, eating fat-free foods may actually cause you to gain weight. As well, these foods turn out to be rather unhealthy. Let's debunk this myth and look at the reasons why eating fat-free foods isn't a very good idea for weight loss, or at all.

It's almost Valentine's Day - are you ready? For many of us, it's a fun holiday where we take time to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. We buy cards, gifts, balloons, flowers, and so on for our sweeties. Unfortunately, the day is also popular for its romantic gifts of chocolates and other sweet treats, which are big "no-no's" when you're trying to lose weight. If you are working hard to stay on track with your weight-loss program, it may help to focus on the heart-shaped symbol, which represents Valentine's Day. This symbol of love and affection can also help remind us of how important it is to take care of our own heart health through diet and exercise. We all hope to continue celebrating Valentine's for many years to come, right? Thinking this way should help you stick to your weight loss routine, even when you're tempted by all those unhealthy treats.

A regular exercise routine is an essential part of your weight loss plan and helps you to look and feel your best. You want to make sure to include core exercises within your routine while you are losing weight. Your core muscles are the ones around your trunk and pelvis, including your abs. Ab exercises are perfect for burning fat and strengthening your core, along with flattening your belly. A flatter belly is a great goal to work towards for both your appearance and your health.

Hollywood's awards season has started in full force and some of us may envy the fit and trim celebrities. Some of us wonder how to lose weight fast and are tempted by trendy "Hollywood" diets, especially since they often promise quick results with little effort. The ladies may look glamorous and slender in their gowns as they walk along the "Red Carpet," but who knows whether their diets are actually healthy or effective for long-term weight loss.

Enjoying a healthy, low-carb, and filling breakfast while you're losing weight sounds like a great way to start the day. Of course, there are going to be mornings when you may not have the time to prepare one, so you may be tempted to grab a quick, but much less nutritious, breakfast on the go. This egg white omelet with tomatoes recipe is just right for you, whether you're short on time or you just feel like fixing an easy dish. All you need is a few minutes, and even fewer ingredients, to prepare and enjoy a delicious breakfast that fits perfectly into both your busy routine and your weight loss plan.

Although winter in the southern states tends to be milder than winter in the northern states, we all have unpleasant weather days. Those days make it difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy a cardio workout outside. Luckily, there are plenty of convenient and effective indoor alternatives, no matter where you live or how the weather is. One great example is by exercising on a stationary bike. This is one way to accomplish a fun and effective cardio workout to help with your weight loss plan. Stationary bike workouts burn fat and calories, which can also help you lose weight fast. Even better, you don't even have to know how to ride an outdoor bike. You don't need to wear a helmet or worry about losing your balance. Just hop on a stationary bike and start pedaling away the pounds.