1. Walk – Walking is one of the very best exercises you can do. It’s good for your heart and it strengthens your legs. If you don’t have time to put a walking workout into place, simply start by walking to more of your daily activities or parking your car further from your destination.
2. Jump rope – Jumping rope is one of the best exercises you can do. It is very good for your cardiovascular system, and it requires inexpensive equipment. And, it’s something you probably already know how to do.
3. Push-ups – Push-ups are one of the best exercises you can do to build upper body strength. They require no special equipment and you already know how to do them. Start by doing as many as you can. Then, see if you can do one more rep every day.
4. Pull-ups – Most Americans cannot even do one pull-up. So, getting to that point is a great goal to set for yourself. Pull-ups can really increase your upper body strength, and they work different muscles than push-ups.
5. Running – Running, like walking, is great simply because it is such a simple exercise. Start your exercise routine with walking, and work up to running to continue increasing your physical fitness.
6. Cycling – Riding a bicycle is a great exercise. You can ride outdoors with your famiy or ride a stationary bike. It’s a great stress reliever, and it’s good for your heart and your legs.
7. Swimming – Swimming uses every major muscle group in the body. And, because you’re suspended in the water, there is no stress on the joints. It’s also a great cardiovascular workout.
8. Abdominal crunches – We’ve been doing crunches to get a flat stomach forever. But, there’s a reason they’re so popular: they work.
9. Rowing – Whether you go out in a rowboat, or use a rowing machine; this is a great way to get a good workout. Rowing is great for your heart, and works all the major upper body muscles.
10. Seated leg lifts – This is a great exercise you can do right at your desk. Slide to the edge of your seat and lift legs up and down, keeping knees bent. This exercise works your quadriceps and hamstrings.
11. Jump on a trampoline – Trampoline jumping builds strength in your legs and gives you a good cardiovascular workout. Jumping on a trampoline also is said to cleanse the lymphatic system, improving your immune system.
12. Squats – Remember doing squats in gym class? Well, it’s time to start doing them again, because they are a great exercise for toning and strengthening your lower body. Squats work the buttocks and the thighs. They also build your lower body endurance.
13. Yoga – There are a million different yoga poses. Take a look at them and learn a few basic ones, like tree pose and downward dog. Yoga can increase your flexibility and reduce stress.
14. Dancing – Fast dancing, like Latin dancing, can burn a lot of calories and tone muscles, too. So, go out and have some fun and get yourself in better shape at the same time.
15. Play ball! – Whether you choose a pickup game of basketball, football, soccer, or baseball, you’ll find that getting out and playing a little ball with your friends or your kids.
16. The Plank – The plank is a position that you hold, rather than an exercise. Position yourself on the floor, with your upper body resting on your elbows and forearms and your lower body positioned up on your toes. Hold the position as long as you can, and then aim to increase your time every day. This exercise is great for developing a stronger core.

These sixteen exercises are simple, and you already know how to do most of them. They require little or no equipment to perform. But, they are powerful tools to help you develop a fit and healthy body.

Type I Diabetes

1. Amylia Grace: This writer and poet was diagnosed with T1 diabetes as a child. She believes having diabetes has helped her develop empathy and appreciate the little victories in life as much as the big ones.
2. Better Cell: This blogger has had diabetes since age five, and blogs about the Type I variety.
3. Blogging Diabetes: This blog was founded one year before the blogger’s ten-year diagnosis anniversary.
4. Diabetes Mine: This blog, written by Amy Tenderich (Type 1, diagnosed 2003), is filled with over five years’ worth of diabetic information.
5. Diabetesaliciousness: A T1 Diabetic since age 8, Kelly is a diabetes advocate, consultant, motivational speaker, and “Lover of cupcakes.”
6. Diabetties: A “Betty” is a strong, independent woman, like this one, who was diagnosed with Type I diabetes.
7. LifeAfterDx–CGM Chronicles: A journal from one of the first I1 diabetics to use continuous glucose monitoring.
8. Pumplandia: Violet’s Diabetes Blog: This blogger offers random information about living and copy with T1 diabetes.
9. Six Until Me: Kerri Morrone Sparling was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1986. She writes about her life as a writer and as a community leader at dLife (see Diabetes Advice and Support category below).
10. The Life of a Diabetic: Chris is a T1 diabetic diagnosed at age 19. He shares the ways he manages his lifestyle with this disease through his blog.
11. Type 1 Diabetes Blog: Gary Gilles is the T1 diabetes blog guide at this About.com topic.

Type II Diabetes

12. Don Diabetes Blog: Jim is a diabetic living with Type 2 diabetes. This is his new blog.
13. Living Diabetic: This Type II diabetic shares personal experiences with the disease through this blog.
14. The Poor Diabetic: Ronald has diabetes mellitus, or Type II diabetes. He offers tips on effective diabetes management.
15. Type 2 Diabetes – A Personal Journey: This diabetic shares personal experiences in learning how to manage T2 diabetes.
16. Type 2 Diabetes Blog: Although this blog is about Type II diabetes, other diabetics can find useful information here.
17. Type 2 Diabetes Blog: About.com guide Elizabeth Woolley writes solely about Type II diabetes.

Other Personal Blogs

18. Bitter-Sweet: “Because life with diabetes isn’t all bad.” This knitter and life-lover shares her blessings.
19. D•blog: The goal is to help you improve your diabetes management by sharing motivational tips, recent research, observations, reflections and more at this blog.
20. Diabetes: This blog talks about news and scientific advances in diabetes management.
21. Diabetes Update: A woman diagnosed with diabetes updates this blog, which represents the Web site, Blood Sugar 101.
22. Diabetic Radio: This blogger’s goal is to give online support & encouragement via blogging, podcasting, and connecting with blog members.
23. Dorkabetic: Dorkabetic is about “glucose levels and geekery. It’s about insulin pumps and incredibly nerdy things. It’s my dorky life…with diabetes.”
24. Dr Jekyll and Mrs Low: A blog about pumps, sugar, fingersticks and more.
25. Every Day Every Hour Every Minute: This woman has been on an insulin pump for four years, and on the CGMS for three years.
26. Gina — Your Diabetes BFF: Gina is a diabetic blogger, advocate and insulin pumper who shares her space for community, resources and news.
27. Living with Diabetes and Lapband: How one person copes with diabetes, teaching high school, beagles, dog agility and lapband surgery.
28. My Sugar Free Sweet Life: Snag recipes and learn more about diabetes through this woman’s personal blog.

Diabetes Advice and Support

29. Diabetes Blog: This blog informs diabetics about their illness.
30. Diabetes Daily: This site offers community, tools, recipes and a directory to help diabetics with their disease.
31. Diabetes Developments: David Mendosa is a freelance journalist and consultant specializing in diabetes. He writes on the latest developments in diabetes.
32. Diabetes Self-Management Blog: A variety of bloggers share their advice, news and personal information about diabetes.
33. Diabetes Sisters: DiabetesSisters offers a range of education and support services to help women of all ages with all types of diabetes live healthier, fuller lives.
34. Diabetia: A diabetes blog about natural treatments, child diabetes, symptoms, recipes and more for all diabetics.
35. diaTribe: This site is made for that tribe of people who are smart about diabetes and believe in intensive management.
36. dLife: This blog is part of a larger community for diabetics, including recipes and healthy eating.
37. Reversing Diabetes Blog: This commercial blog offers ideas for recommended diabetes products and treatments.
38. The Diabetes Online Community: The Diabetes Online Community (DOC as we call it) was created in 2005 by people with diabetes who wanted to share their life with the world in order to help others find solace and comfort.

Parents’ Blogs

39. A Shot in the Dark: A mom talks about her son’s Type 1 diabetes on this blog.
40. Candy at Midnight: A blog about a son with Type 1 diabetes.
41. DanielDoo: This family is coping with Type 1 diabetes, Asperger’s and Multiple Sclerosis.
42. Diabetes Sweeties: This blog is devoted to a parent’s every day struggles with parenting a child with Type 1 diabetes.
43. High Up…Down Low: Journaling about the life of a son diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes in 2003.
44. My Diary as the Mom of a Diabetic Princess: The princess is one of four children, and she has Type 1 diabetes.
45. My son has diabetes: A blog written by a mom with two children, one who has Type I diabetes.
46. Our Life With Children & Diabetes! A mom of three children with Type 1 diabetes blogs about family life.
47. Type 1 Diabetes: The light and dark sides of raising a child with Type 1 diabetes.
48. Wicked Sweet: A parent’s “wicked sweet journey with a type 1 child.”
49. Wild and Precious Life: “Random thoughts on motherhood, yoga, poetry, food, diabetes, Celiac, and life” from a mom with a son who has diabetes.
50. Without Envy: A daughter is diagnosed with Type I diabetes, and this blog takes off within days of that diagnosis.

1. Introduction to Health Policy: This course from Johns Hopkins explores the basic issues in health policy and management. This basic course will give you a very good overview of what the healthcare management field is all about and give you an introduction into health policy.

2. Health Issues for Aging Populations: This course from Johns Hopkins explores aging and health policy related to treating older persons. As baby boomers age, we will have more elderly patients than our country has ever seen, so more and more healthcare jobs will be related to gerontology. This is a good class if you’re considering gerontology as a career.
3. Aging Health and Diversity: These podcasts from Berkeley explore aging and how different cultures embrace it. This is another great course if you’re considering gerontology.
4. Environmental Health: This course from Johns Hopkins explores environmental concerns and the health problems associated with them. Environmental Health is one of the newest fields in healthcare. This course should give you a good idea of whether or not you’re interested in environmental health.
5. Biological Agents of Water and Foodborne Bioterrorism: This course from Johns Hopkins explores the possibility of bioterrorism through food and water borne illness. This class will help you better understand bioterrorism and health careers related to it.
6. History of Public Health: This course from Johns Hopkins examines the historical experience of health and illness from a population perspective. Those who are interested in a field in public health will appreciate this course.
7. Human Growth and Development: Tufts University offers this course on how humans develop and grow. This is a great course for anyone interested in pediatrics.
8. Cardiovascular Pathophysiology: This course from Tufts offers an in depth look at the cardiovascular system. This is a great course for those interested in cardiology.
9. Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology: This course from Tufts offers an in depth look at the human musculoskeletal system. This is a great course for anyone interested in orthopedics.
10. Renal Pathophysiology: Learn how the kidneys function and adapt to disease in this course from Tufts University. This is a good class if you’re potentially interested in internal medicine or nephrology.
11. Genetics: This course from Tufts covers basic human genetics, including how they contribute to disease. This is a great course for anyone interested in the field of genetics.
12. Images of Memorable Cases: 50 Years at the Bedside: This course from Connexions is a study in the art and science of medical diagnosis. Anyone interested in being any sort of health practitioner will appreciate this course.
13. Adolescent Health and Development: Another course from Johns Hopkins, this course covers the development of the adolescent body. It’s a great class if you’re interested in pediatrics.
14. Introduction to Human Nutrition: This course from Berkeley gives you an overview of basic nutritional requirements. This is a good beginning course if you’re interested in being a dietician or nutritionist.
15. Epidemiology of Infectious Disease: This course from Johns Hopkins explores infectious disease epidemiology. This is a good basic introduction for those who might be interested in studying infectious diseases.
16. General Psychology: An introduction to General Psychology from Berkeley. If you’re interested in a career in the psychology field, this class is a must.
17. Medical Terminology: Think you can handle learning the myriad of medical terms required for a career in healthcare? This course from the college of Eastern Utah will give you a head start.
18. Managed Care: This course from Johns Hopkins gives an overview of managing patient care plans and insurance. It’s a must for anyone considering the field of healthcare management.

With some of these classes under your belt, you should have a much better idea about which career in the health field is right for you.

1. This Index of Malpractice Laws by State is a great resource for Nurse Practitioners and other healthcare professionals. If you have questions about laws and malpractice issues, you can search easily by state to find out what you need to know to protect yourself and your workplace.

2. The Pearson Report is an annual national overview of legislation and healthcare issues relating to Nurse Practitioners. Unfortunately, beginning in 2010, the complete report will only be available if you register with WebNPonline.

3. SkinSight.com has easily searchable pictures and graphics of a vast selection of skin problems and diseases. You can search by affected body part, name of disease, age, and sex of the patient to diagnose and find out about everything from acne to bed sores to skin cancer.

4. The American Dietetic Association’s nutrition manual is a good resource for finding printable handouts for your clients on diets and disease-specific information. The website also has BMI calculators and other fun tools to help educate your patients about proper nutrition and body weight.

5. Health.com has lists of the “most emailed” and “most popular” health-related stories, which can help you find out what the public wants to know most so you can prepare to answer those questions. It also has a list of fad diets, meal plans, quizzes and interesting health and diet-related articles.

6. PreventDisease.com has a handy “health tools” section that provides easy calculations for BMI, BMR, and Target Weight that are separated into kids, adults, men and women. The site also provides blood pressure assessments, a blood alcohol estimator, calorie calculators and disease risk assessors.

7. DrugDigest.com is a consumer health and drug information site with a drug library and interactive tools for patients to keep track of their medications. It also has drug interaction checkers, drug comparisons, and safety tips.

8. NurseLinkUp is “The Nurse Social Network” that features studies, news stories, and social networking for nurses all over the country.

9. HealthGrades.com is a great site for Nurse Practitioners looking for jobs. You don’t want to work just anywhere do you? When you want to find the best doctors, hospitals and nursing homes to work for – as graded by the patients – this independent rating organization is the place to look.

10. Jwatch.org has information from blogs, newspapers, websites, and every other resource on the web to give you little snippets of the latest in healthcare news. If you don’t have much spare time but want to stay up to date, this is the place to go.

Here we present five free online web apps to learn about any medicine.

1. DoubleCheckMD – A cool web application that lets you use everyday language and search for the effects of various drugs. Aptly named Doublecheck; you can use it to quickly look up information on drugs; a simple phrase entry throws up detailed information on the drug. Or if you wish you can enter any symptoms you might be experiencing and abnormal lab test reports. The results that show up will tell you if your medication is responsible. You can discuss the information with your doctor and get a more rounded view of the situation. A great tool to inform and put your mind at ease about any discomfort that you might be feeling after taking medicine.

2. ABC Homeopathy – An exhaustive online tool that lists homeopathic remedies for the symptoms entered by you. A nice free application for those that have experienced positive results with this form of medicine. The level of interactivity is high and the questions asked before the suggestions are thrown up are quite detailed. You do not have to think, the software thinks for you. You only need to tick what’s applicable. A thorough background check is central to many alternative medicine practices, including homeopathy. A good aid for those that wish to learn about self-diagnosis.

3. Medstory – A cool search tool that promises in-depth information on health and medicine. The search engine’s partnership with quality reference sources online ensures relevant search results that can be refined and dug deeper into. The two main search categories are “Health” and “Research”. Search terms throw up results categorized into drugs, conditions, procedures, personal health, clinical studies, and more. The neat classification makes it easy to get appropriate information fast.

4. Right Health – A complete portal of quality health information including medicine. A single search term yields a ton of information segregated into many modules. Search for a medicine and you will get information categorized as overview, basic, references, patient experience, videos, guides, and articles. A good reference point for health-related queries of lay people. A related topics display gives you ideas on how best to expand your search and either go deeper into the topic or search laterally for associated subjects.

5. Curbside.MD – A well-thought of application that brings together evidence-based answers for questions that are asked in an everyday language. The extent to which the application pares down a simple query is impressive. The answers to a query are neatly categorized to facilitate ease of understanding. You are most likely to get a pertinent result on the result summary page itself. If not, you can check the Best Hits, Visual Diagnosis, Quick Consult, and more. There is also a Clinical Trials section that throws up results on clinical trials related to your query.

Regularly referencing these applications is sure to make the healthcare programs you practice more rounded. Your knowledge on medicines and their potential side effects will make it easier for you to fill forms at the doctor’s office. It also makes it easy for a doctor to pair your condition to a medicine keeping your physiology in mind.