America’s war with weight has hit a record high — nearly 40 percent of American adults are obese. Larger portion sizes, lack of activity and confusing messages are among the reasons for the spike. When it comes to battling this epidemic, it’s all about going back to the basics. While that may be easier said than done, no fad diet can replace the lifestyle changes necessary to shed pounds and live a healthy life for the long-term. Here’s how to get back on track so you can start feeling…

  It’s no secret that staying physically fit holds many benefits. Working out will make your body leaner and stronger. You’ll have more energy to go about your daily tasks, and you won’t feel nearly as tired at the end of the day. Regular exercise also does wonders for your self-esteem. Watching your hard work pay off can be extremely encouraging. You’ll begin to feel like you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. However, like with anything in life, you need to learn that there is…

    Addiction recovery summons up images of painful withdrawal symptoms and the physical manifestations of a disease that ravages every aspect of an addict’s life. Recovery is a complex, holistic process that never truly ends - addicts constantly struggle with the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges of addiction. While there’s no simple cure, regular exercise confers benefits that are known to be effective in helping addicts maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise helps ward off behavioral triggers that can lead to chemical dependency and restores the broken connection between…

    Making your way to better health can take a lot of sacrifice and self-discipline, and it is rarely easy to make lasting changes. This is particularly difficult if there are issues of drug or alcohol use, or other bad habits that cloud your decision-making. For me, my tumultuous relationship led to weekly drinking, and subsequently my physical health fell by the wayside. It took a move back to my hometown for me to realize that I needed to make some changes, so I turned a negative life event…

    As a parent, nothing can match the pain and utter devastation of losing a child. During difficult times, we must remember to cling onto others and fall back on our support network. Grief is a complicated process that works differently for everyone. We must process our grief in a healthy manner, or else we risk slipping into destructive habits and behaviors. Here are some coping strategies for parents struggling with the loss of a child.   Understanding Your Grief   It’s hard to find words that fully capture…