Relieve, Restore and Reset Your Back with These 10 Products

Sometimes simply going about the business of living life can lead to backaches and pains. According to +he Good Body, eight out of every 10 Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives—a statistic that's probably not surprising considering all the times you lift, pull, stretch, twist, slouch, bend or otherwise contort your back to do everything from reaching for that cereal bowl in the morning to picking up the kids' toys at night before going to bed.

8 Ways to Add Some Flower Power to Your Next Workout

Why simply stop and smell the roses, when you can wear them? Gone are the days when getting ready for the gym or a walk around the park meant hiding your personality under boring, solid-colored clothing. Today's athleisure trends speak in flowery tones—loud ones. From red roses and pink peonies to delightful daisies and bright wildflower bouquets, you can't escape the movement toward adorning your body in head-to-toe flower power

If you're ready to rediscover your inner flower child or are just looking to make a smaller statement with that one perfect floral piece, then you'll find these fresh, fun, functional and flowery pieces are a cinch to mix-and-match with workout clothes you already own. Plus, they are great for any activity, from tiptoeing through the tulips to running through the ranunculus.  

10 Ways to Stash Your Valuables While You Work Out

It's a beautiful day and you've finally found time to run around that small lake you pass all the time on your way to your son's preschool. You've hydrated, eaten a healthy breakfast, put on your comfiest running clothes and are all set to put that hour-long break to good use. Only after you've secured your ponytail do you realize that you have nowhere to put your key fob. Sure, you can always take it off the keyring and stick it in your bra and hope it doesn't get lost or get clogged with too much sweat but surely there's a better option? 

4 Ways to Beat the Heat and Stay Hydrated This Summer

The season is finally warming up and transitioning to summer, and with it comes a lot of other changes: You're probably swapping out your pants for shorts, sweatshirts for tank tops and putting your coats and snow boots into storage. You might also pull the grill out of the garage, get out your lawn chairs and start stocking up on sunscreen. Most people look forward to summer's plethora of outdoor activities—but forget to change up what they eat and drink.

Follow these four hydration tips to stay energized, cool and well-hydrated during your favorite hot-weather activities.

1. Know how much to hydrate. The Institute of Medicine at the National Academies of Sciences recommends that adults try to drink 11-16 total cups of fluids a day. This may seem like a lot, but remember, those fluids can come from a wide range of beverages, as well as foods. In fact, low- or no-calorie beverages provide some sweetness without the calories and are predominately water. If you exercise, be sure to drink before, during and after, too.
   
   SparkPeople member PKCHANDLER loves low- or no-calorie sweetened beverages because they are "A refreshing drink I don't have to 'count,'" and she, "Looks forward to grabbing a refreshing beverage with no added calories."



2. Eat plenty of water-filled foods. Fruits and vegetables are packed with water and can count toward your hydration goals for the day. Fruits like watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, pineapple and oranges are nearly 90 percent water. Cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, cabbage and peppers are also about 90 percent water, so don't hesitate to stock up the next time you find yourself at the farmers market or a produce stand.
   
   Sparkpeople member CMCKENNAHOME satisfies her sweet tooth and stays hydrated with "Fruit, coffee with Stevia or diet iced tea at least once a day," she says.



3. Don't discount low- or no-calorie beverages. Even if you drink a lot of water all day, beverages with sugar substitutes can help you stay hydrated, too. Not only are they a proven tool to help you maintain a healthy weight, they don’t leave you feeling hungrier, so they can be a beneficial part of an overall weight management plan. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that people who eat a balanced diet are also likely to drink low- or no-calorie beverages. So, go ahead—it's okay if you want to reach for one.
   
   "[Low- or no-calorie beverages] are just enough—a splurge without a ton of guilt," Sparkpeople member FRUITSANDVEG says.



4. Pay attention to your thirst. Even if you feel just a little thirsty, quench it by reaching for water or any other low- or no-calorie beverage of your choice if you want a little sweetness. Don't ignore your body's signals. If you don't drink when you're thirsty, you may become dehydrated.
   
   For more tips on staying hydrated this summer, click here.

Build a Better You and Enhance Your Diet with SparkPeople's 30-Day Better Nutrition Challenge

Welcome to SparkPeople's 30-Day Better Nutrition Challenge! For the next 30 days, you'll receive a daily dose of information to help you learn more about both macro and micronutrients and why they are important for building a better you from the inside out.  

10 Futuristic Health Products That Should Be on Your Radar

Now that Marty McFly's self-lacing shoes are finally a reality, one thing is clear: The future is here. Getting your hands on the latest technology, though, is equal parts risky and rewarding. After all, how many people actually need $720 shoes?

With new products hitting the market every day, it can be difficult to identify the ones that can actually help you with your daily health and fitness struggles. From a fork that will force a slow-food revolution at your table to a jump rope that ensures you'll never lose count of your skips ever again, these 10 products are sure to make you feel like you're living like the Jetsons.

Better in Business and Beyond: Learn Why Image Is Everything

Inspirational women are all around us, teaching, motivating and leading others by example through the way they live their lives and inspire others. The Spark Your Life Series connects you to thought-provoking female leaders whose stories can help you achieve life balance, a health and fitness goal or a better state of mind.

10 Plus-Size Leggings for Women Who Love Their Curves

These days, it's hard to go to the produce aisle, much less the park without running into at least a few people sporting chic black leggings. Once relegated to workout days only, the black legging is here to stay. Luckily, the legging look isn't only for the lithe, long, limber yogi. Black leggings are available in every size, shape and silhouette, and are a great wardrobe addition for any woman, even those with curves.

Balance Work and Life with Tips from the 'Mom Boss'

Inspirational women are all around us, teaching, motivating and leading others by example through the way they live their lives and inspire others. The Spark Your Life Series connects you to thought-provoking female leaders whose stories can help you achieve life balance, a health and fitness goal or a better state of mind.

Induce Sleep Naturally With These 5 Tips

Try as you might, there will simply be times when you have a hard time getting to sleep. As you toss and turn, you might wonder what you're doing wrong that keeps you from sleeping. Are you going to bed too early? Too late? Is your room too noisy? Too dark? Too light?
 
It can be hard to determine the root cause of sleeping issues. The good news is there are many foods, drinks, herbs and other natural sleep remedies you can try at home to help you drift off to sleep—and keep you there. Before tossing in the proverbial pillow, try one or more of these solid sleep inducers and take back the night!  

What Can You Do Now That You Couldn't Do Before Weight Loss?

It's not uncommon to experience lifestyle limitations when you're overweight. You might struggle to find flattering clothes to wear to the gym, much less to go out to dinner. Spending nice, summer mornings tending to your garden? Not possible if your knees won't allow you to get down to the beds and back up again. Tying your shoes can be a chore. How does it feel when you want to play with your grandkids, but all you can do is sit in a lawn chair and watch them run around the backyard for hours for fear of getting winded? And forget about biking to the park—even a half a mile feels nearly impossible.

How a Brain Injury Awakened My Creativity

Inspirational women are all around us, teaching, motivating and leading others by example through the way they live their lives and inspire others. The Spark Your Life Series connects you to thought-provoking female leaders whose stories can help you achieve life balance, a health and fitness goal or a better state of mind.

Banish Dry, Winter Workout Skin With These 10 Essentials

It's hard enough to find the motivation to get up, get dressed and get out the door for that 10K training or trip to the gym any time of year. Trying to do it against the cold, windy, overcast days of winter makes it that much more difficult, especially when the bitter breeze makes it feel like pins and needles are driving into your flushed cheeks and hands. Between outdoor workouts, sweating it out in spin class or just running in and out of the manufactured heat, though, there's a good chance your winter skin is coming up short, leaving you with dry, red or chapped skin. Give your skin the extra bit of help it needs this season to protect and heal before, during and after your winter workouts. 

20 Products SparkPeople Members Obsessed Over This Year

We asked and you delivered. From sports bras to blenders, heart rate monitors to training shoes, and everything in between, you let us know which health and fitness purchases from the last year have made living your healthy lifestyle easier. Our members are out there putting products to the test year round, and these 20 products all received gold stars and rave reviews from our members. If it makes you happy, then we know it will make our other health-conscious members happy, too.

20 Essential Items the Fitness Pros Never Leave Home Without

When you get ready to go to your favorite fitness class, do you have your bag packed and ready to go? Or are you the person frantically scrambling at the last minute, trying to think of what you might need on your way out the door? Sure, you should always pack a water bottle, hair ties and change of clothes, but what other items are you missing?