MYTH: Diet Cocktails Are a Safe Bet

You can burn about 15 calories per minute with this intense workout. Work to your max with squats, pushups, gymnastic rings, intense runs, and weightlifting. “Hero Workouts” are named in honor of soldiers who died serving the country. Be aware that the bursts of intense exercise can lead to injury. It’s important to work on your flexibility and learn to do the moves properly.

Live online classes can give you the excitement and competition of group exercise without leaving the house. You can buy a fancy integrated cycling system with a screen that hooks up to the Internet and hundreds of daily classes. Or you can just prop your smartphone or digital device on your bike and stream live or recorded workout sessions from an app, website, or YouTube.

You can create endless routines with this one simple, portable, low-cost, piece of equipment. It's especially good for getting at the pulling muscles of your back, which other workouts sometimes miss. A personal trainer may be able to help you get the most from them, but once you know a few exercises, you can set it up yourself at the gym or at home or even in your hotel room if you're on the road.

You might have seen pro football players doing this during practice. It looks kinda fun, right? Well it's a growing trend in personal fitness, too. Besides the sled, you generally need a safe outdoor space, usually at a commercial gym, and a certified trainer to help you get the most from it. You typically push or pull the sled for 10 or 20 yards at a time. You can adjust the weight according to your strength and your fitness goals.

Only the fit and fearless can tackle this obstacle race. You do things like crawl through mud, climb walls, and swim in icy water. Train for at least 8 weeks with sprints, squats, pushups, and weights. Rest between short bursts of exercise.

These moves can strengthen your core, arms, and legs. One to try is the plié: Stand with your heels together, toes apart, and then bend your knees. Squeeze your inner thighs and glutes as you slowly go lower, keeping your knees over your toes, and then rise to standing. Studios offer classes, or you can follow a video at home. Some classes also include cardio.

Super-fast workouts are all the rage, but what about the opposite? The goal in "slow" weight training is to limit momentum. You might take 10 seconds to lower the bench press bar and another 10 to raise it. The exact benefits aren't yet clear, but a change in workout routine can help keep your mind engaged and your muscles guessing. A "slow day" could be just the workout to throw into the mix.

Heard of the 7-minute workout? How about Tabata? Both are just a few minutes. The trick is, you work harder than you thought possible, pushing yourself to the max. If you're not in shape now, start with something more moderate.

FACT: British researchers reviewed the studies on hangover pills, such as yeast and artichoke extract. They found no compelling evidence that they worked. Another British team found a supplement made from prickly pear cactus may reduce nausea and dry mouth from hangovers, but not the dreaded headache. The only proven cure? Time.

FACT: Caffeine can narrow your blood vessels and may make your hangover worse. After a night of drunkenness, it's best to sip water and sports drinks to counter dehydration and replace lost electrolytes -- especially if you threw up.

FACT: More alcohol in the morning does nothing but postpone a hangover. The worst symptoms hit when blood-alcohol levels drop to zero. If you have a screwdriver at breakfast, this moment will just come later in the day. And if you find you can't function without a wake-up cocktail, you should talk with your doctor about getting help for alcohol addiction.

FACT: Just the opposite. While a nightcap may help you doze off more quickly, too much undermines the quality of your sleep. You don't spend as much time in all-important REM cycles and you tend to wake up too soon. If you've been drinking heavily, a hangover might strike in the last part of the night, leaving you too uncomfortable to get back to sleep.