Health

Actor Gerard Butler had to get into superb shape to prepare for his role as King Leonidas, the head of the Spartan Army for Zack Snyder's epic film 300.

Fortunately, the workout that he did in the months leading up to principal photography for the film doesn't require a deadly gauntlet or fighting a live tiger. The exercise regime that he and his fellow actors performed, dubbed "The 300 Workout," consists of a series of repetitive weight-lifting and strength-training reps performed in quick succession. And it only involves simple exercise equipment that just about every home, apartment or commercial gym has at their disposal. Follow these simple strength-training exercises and you'll be as ripped as a Spartan in no time.

The basic workout consists of several exercises such as pull-ups, bench press, jumps, push-ups and squats with various weights. Each exercise is performed one after the one without a rest or cool down period. You should time your session since strength increases will help you shorten your finish time.

1) Start out with a full rep of 25 pull-ups using only your body weight, performing them in quick succession with as few reps...

Do you remember the Presidential Physical Fitness Test when you were in school? Now there's an adult version developed by the President's Council on Fitness and Sports. This can be a great assessment to see how our bodies measure up to the minimum guidelines for adults. The Adult Fitness Test incorporates several of the same exercises that millions of students do each year. The goal with the adult version is the same for the kids -- to measure fitness -- but it compares adults results to other age-group peers.

The test involves three basic components: aerobic fitness, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance. Developed in 2008, this test was a response to baby boomers who kept asking council members whether there was a ...

Are you nature deprived? Yes, you are, according to research that shows obesity, depression, health and fitness can be improved simply by spending more time outdoors.

Outdoor fitness means using nature as our gym. Natural surroundings can motivate us to move more, workout harder and exercise longer. It's also more challenging and more natural to the body. When you workout in a gym – on a machine or treadmill, every movement is exactly the same. Your body is smart and gets used to the repetitive motions, so it goes on autopilot, which means your muscles and cardiovascular system don't work as hard because they've learned how to be overly efficient.

Training outdoors is different. Every day and every place you train is different. Finding your footing on grass, trails, sand, rocks or other uneven terrain activates more muscle fibers for stability –...

Many dermatologists recommend letting pimples go away on their own to prevent scarring, tissue damage and infection. But, when you have an important business meeting or a date, you're not going with a zit on your face!

If you are going to get rid of a pimple, do it the right way:

-Wait until the pimple is fully developed and a white head is showing
-Wash your hands thoroughly to get rid of bacteria and wash your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser
-Consider popping the zit after a shower, when the pores are open or hold a warm washcloth on the area to help open it
-Sterilize a needle and prick the top of the pimple
-Gently squeeze the area around the sides of the pimple, putting equal pressure on both sides. Squeeze until you see clear liquid or blood
-Use a clean tissue to dab away the liquid and pus, being careful not to spread it onto other parts of your body
-Wash your hands
-If there is swelling, apply a cold washcloth with some ice in it to the area
-Apply hydrogen peroxide on the open pore and dab on Benzoyl Peroxide

Remember never to dig at pimples or blackheads that are still under the surface, that will only cause a flare-up. Keep your nails short and free of dirt so that you don't spread bacteria onto your face. If you have cysts or nodules, do not attempt to pop them! See a dermatologist who will give you a shot of cortisone to bring down the swelling. Now dab on some oil-free, noncomedogenic...

Each weekend, when you go shopping, do you reach into the back of the dairy case to grab the milk or yogurt with the later expiration date? Do you occasionally check the contents of your fridge and wonder: Can I still eat this? If you're like most Americans, you're probably not quite sure what these dates really mean or when you should throw foods out. Before your toss some perfectly good lunch meat, read this guide and know for sure what's safe to eat - and what isn't!

What do the dates on your foods mean?
Expiration date: this refers to the last day the food should be consumed.
Sell by date: this refers to how long a product should be displayed for sale. Buy the product before this date passes, but know that the item will still be edible for some time after.
Best if used by date: refers to quality, not food safety. Consume the product by this date to take advantage of its best flavor.

How long can it keep in the fridge?
(Remember, these are just guidelines. Use common...