You Asked: Does Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Joint Damage?


Updated 07/12/10 12:18 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 40 comments

You Asked: Does Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Joint Damage?

Dear Fit, I have to admit that I love cracking my knuckles, but my gramma always says that I'm ruining my joints and I'll get arthritis when I'm older. Is she right? —Cracky Kathy This is a great question and you are not alone in the love of cracking your knuckles. In order to answer your question, let me explain what's happening when your joints crack. A joint is an area where two or more Read more

Sprain vs. Strain


Updated 10/28/07 4:08 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

Sprain vs. Strain

Injuries suck! But it does help to know the name of your enemy and the difference between a strain and a sprain. Strain: A strain involves injury to a muscle or a tendon, which attach muscles to bones. Strains, aka "pulled" muscles, are caused by over stretching or tearing a muscle or a tendon. Common strains: hamstring and back injuries. Sprains: A sprain occurs at a joint and is the tearing Read more

Taking it To the Streets After Running On a Treadmill


Updated 06/26/07 7:43 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 7 comments

Taking it To the Streets After Running On a Treadmill

It is that time of year when folks move their workouts outside since the weather is so dang nice. If you have been running indoors on a treadmilll and are looking to move your runs outside there are a few things to take into consideration. The surface of the treadmill is more forgiving to your joints so suddenly shifting all your runs outside can be jarring to your ankles, knees and hips. Try Read more

Chi Running: Use Your Mind to Run, Not Just Your Feet


Updated 05/13/09 11:02 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Chi Running: Use Your Mind to Run, Not Just Your Feet

Chi Running (or Mindful Running) is the latest trend to quietly hit the streets, literally. WebMD got the basics of Chi Running from Danny Dreyer, an ultra-marathon runner and author of the book Chi Running: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running. Focus Your Mind: Your mind instructs your muscles to start working or relaxing. Your mind orchestrates the perfect run, starting Read more

The Skinny on: Cracking Your Knuckles


Updated 07/12/10 1:58 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 23 comments

The Skinny on: Cracking Your Knuckles

When someone tells you that cracking your knuckles will lead to arthritis, they're wrong. What exactly makes that "popping" sound? When you crack your knuckles, or back, or whatever, you are pushing the joint into or out of its normal position. Joints are the meeting points of 2 separate bones. A thick liquid called synovial fluid is found between the bones. When you stretch, twist, push, or Read more

How to Adjust Your Tax Withholding


Posted by Kiplinger · 0 comments

How to Adjust Your Tax Withholding

We're thrilled to present this smart Kiplinger story here on Savvy! Political theater over whether or not to extend the 2% payroll tax holiday has overshadowed the fact that most workers can do more to reduce the amount of tax withheld from their paychecks than anything cooked up in Washington. The power-to-the-people ploy? Using a W-4 form to put an end to overwithholding from your paychecks. Read more

A Reader Recipe: Chunky Cherry-Chocolate Granola Bites


Updated 02/10/12 1:30 AM · Posted by Fit Community · 0 comments

Cherry-Chocolate Granola Bites

FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle came up with this special cookie for Valentine's Day; she posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group. Tied with a festive pink ribbon and a little love, I’m hoping these cookies will be perfect for Valentine's Day. The whole-grain oats, nuts, and cherries in these cookies add heartiness, while the melted dark-chocolate chunks deliver bursts of richness. The chia Read more

Weight Loss Rules You're Allowed to Break


Updated 02/11/12 11:10 AM · Posted by · 6 comments

Diet Rules You Can Break and Still Lose Weight

If you love to eat, losing weight can seem so structured, you immediately get frustrated and grab the first decadent food you can find. Even though there are some very specific guidelines that can help you reach your goal faster, there's no one-size-fits-all weight-loss plan for everyone. Here are five rules you can bend and still drop pounds from the scale. No Cheesecake, Wine, or French Read more

Tax Stuff Every Newlywed Should Know


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Newlywed Tax Tips

You're still hearing wedding bells, but don't let the honeymoon phase distract you from reality. Money is a huge factor in relationships and if you don't tackle it from the start, it can start to shake the cornerstones of your marriage. Kathy Pickering, the executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block, names a few things newlyweds should be aware of come tax time: Filing Status: A Read more