Bad news. There’s no magic diet, perfect workout, or new gadgetry in these pages. Shocking for a post about New Year’s resolutions, we know. But our guide to having a better year is void of gimmicks. The Best Diets to Lose Weight, Ranked What you’ll find: more than 25 simple, expert-backed methods you can start […] More

As you may have realized, I have no shame in my natural skin care products game. I love purchasing high quality, effective products from brands I love and trust. The Green Beauty Shop is full of products I believe in and feel confident recommending to you. That being said, natural skincare doesn’t always involve purchasing […] More

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and FOX Sports lead NFL analyst Troy Aikman may have retired 20 years ago, but he’s still finding ways to stay on top of his game. Here’s how.

Adjust Your Plan
I was still doing the same routines five years after retiring——bothered with back pain. I walked into a local gym and asked if someone could write me programs. Jason Harnden walked out, and I’’ve been training with him for 17 years. Now I hit the weights four days a week, for 30 minutes. We change it up every four  or five weeks, adding battle ropes, kettlebells, and slam balls. Keeping the training up these days meant getting a home gym together. I find the FreeMotion Dual Cable Cross Machine effective without straining the joints.
Center Yourself
Phil Jackson’s book Sacred Hoops got me intrigued about meditation and mindfulness. The light really came on when I picked up The Untethered Soul. It was hard at first. I had the whole ““monkey mind”” going, but eventually I was able to slow my thoughts. I meditate first thing in the morning to set me up for a good day. I like the apps Insight Timer and Calm. I also listen to the audiobook of Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now on walks.

Keep It Clean
I’’ve gotten better about eating vegetables in these later years. I get most of my protein from fish, avoid processed foods and dairy, and don’’t put excessive butter or oil on anything. I rarely eat red meat but, when I do, I grill it myself. I’’ve gotten into making smoothies before and after workouts. I use Dymatize Iso 100 Whey Protein Powder and Athletic Greens with spinach, collagen powder, banana, and almond milk.
Take a Breather
I’’m a prime example of someone who overtrains. I’ve always done something seven days a week. During my playing career, there was always an urgency to work as hard as I could. I never walked away thinking I didn’’t show up as strong as possible. That’’s followed me into retirement. I’’m starting to allow myself recovery days. I’’m not as sore and stiff and know maintaining this pace isn’’t sustainable. I need to pause and accept that life is good.

Troy Aikman will share his insights as FOX Sports’ lead NFL analyst during the NFC Championship as Tom Brady and the Buccaneers take on Aaron Rodgers’ Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. on FOX. 

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IN THE HIERARCHY of nuts, peanuts are at the bottom. Cashews, almonds, and walnuts are distinguished and healthful. Peanuts are often relegated to pub mix. But fitness-minded folks stock up on the legumes because they are, in fact, just as nutritious—and a jar of peanut butter is so much more affordable than fancier nut butter. […] More

Have you ever noticed the way older people get sick more often? That’s due to an aging immune system, which can’t fend off bugs the way spring chickens can. Now, a new study suggests stress can dramatically age your immune system, leaving maxed-out people at higher risk of illness.

“Adults who reported chronic ongoing stressors, major life trauma, and stressful life events tended to have cell percentages that indicated more immune aging,” says lead study author Eric Klopack at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in Los Angeles.

There are two possible ways stress causes your immune system to age, says Klopack. The first is by leading to unhealthy behaviors like poor diet, which can shrink your thymus, an organ responsible for the growth of T cells (important for immune functioning). The second is that stress can activate a particular virus (cytomegalovirus or CMV) in the body that damages the immune system.

“Since avoiding stress is often impossible, building up resilience and coping tools might be useful. A a strong social support network can help reduce the health risks associated with stress.”

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