BJ Ferguson

It has been years since my egg cracked.
In community parlance, an “egg” refers to a transgender person who doesn’t quite yet realize they are trans. We “crack” when that first realization happens — oh wait! what if?…
Getting out of that shell takes work. I came out as nonbinary five years ago. I didn’t immediately claim the title trans, thanks to internalized transphobia. The process of setting offline boundaries on pronoun use took several years more. And it was only the isolation brought on...

When you think about a workout to get your heart pumping, you probably picture aerobics: running, swimming or maybe cycling. An exhaustive strength training session, however, can also speed up your pulse. Your ideal heart rate while lifting weights will depend on your fitness level and your goals.

Crutches, used for balance and stability, may seem like an intimidating addition to your fitness routine after an injury or surgery. By modifying your cardio and strength training practice to a crutches workout, you can rest and heal while staying on track with your fitness goals.

An adult heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM) is considered normal, but a heart rate of only 40 to 60 BPM is considered normal for highly trained athletes. If your ticker tends to tock a bit fast or you have anxiety-induced tachycardia, consider these supplements to lower heart rate.

Potassium citrate is a common form of potassium found in a number of foods and an important compound for maintaining the renal system and other bodily functions. You can find potassium citrate in food like fruits.

Many exercises and lifestyle changes can build bone density in hips, either to prevent osteoporosis or improve health outcomes after a diagnosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones, making them more susceptible to injury, most commonly in the hips, spine, and wrists.

Diarrhea is a common but distressing gastrointestinal issue that plagues just about everyone, from world travelers and IBS sufferers to cancer patients and unlucky foodies. Plan a recovery diet to soothe your symptoms using easy-to-digest binding foods.

Swimming can be a great way to improve overall health and cardiovascular fitness. You can measure your heart rate in water manually or use a monitor to ensure you are getting just the right kind of workout, whether a warm up, moderate intensity, vigorous intensity or a combination of the three.

You wouldn't wish the discomfort of constipation on your worst enemy, but you particularly hate to see your baby straining and pushing. You can buy Gerber prune juice for babies for a form of relief, but that doesn't necessarily make the beverage safe for a newborn.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive associated with Chinese food, used in everything from snack food to salad dressing. The association of MSG in Chinese food with certain symptoms led to the name "Chinese restaurant syndrome" in the 1960s. MSG and heart rate don't have a clear connection.

Pre-workout supplements are a popular way for bodybuilders, athletes, and other fitness aficionados to get an extra boost before a workout. Whether you've taken pre-workout supplements for a while or are trying for the first time, you might wonder, when is the right time to take a pre-workout break?

Do you remember your high school sex education? Did you cringe over a video of a live birth? Wince at images of untreated STIs? Giggle while sliding a condom over a banana?

Or perhaps you didn’t even have sex ed.

If that’s the case, you’re not alone. According to the Guttmacher Institute, only 24 states and the District of Columbia currently mandate sex education in public schools. Only 13 states require what’s taught to be medically accurate.

And unfortunately, what is taught isn’t always en...

The scientific advancements in trans medicine could be revolutionary—if our culture can change to accept them.

Stories about the future of trans medicine tend to focus on the up-and-coming techniques we might see decades down the line. But the fight for the future of trans health starts with the decisions we make right now. Who deserves access to health care? Who decides what that care looks like?

These physical therapist-approved moves could help with achy, stiff joints.