There's no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to finding the "best" cardio workout, but with a little research, you can determine the right cardio workout for your needs. If you're ready to stick to your fit game plan once and for all, take the following points into consideration.

Be honest about injuries: For anyone brand-new to a cardio program, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the most suitable options. If your knees or hips have given you issues in the past, your doctor might explain that a low-impact workout is best. Take their advice to heart and understand that training for a marathon may not be the best at this time. If you have any concerns whatsoever, be sure to consult your physician before you start anything new.

Get real about your goals: Is this just about getting your heart pumping every day? Are you trying to take off a significant amount of weight? Long-term health goals will inform your cardio choices. Someone who wants to improve their heart health will benefit from working out at a steady pace, but this alone won't make kilos fly off the scale. The best workouts for weight loss typically include some form of interval training, alternating between periods of pushing your body to the max and rest periods. Try a Tabata workout that burns a ton of calories for an effective workout for weight loss. Keep reading for two more things to consider when choosing a cardio workout.

As you're planning meals for the rest of this week, take to heart this simple yet profound tip from author and activist Michael Pollan.

There's no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to finding the "best" cardio workout, but with a little research, you can determine the right cardio workout for your needs. If you're ready to stick to your fit game plan once and for all, take the following points into consideration.

Be honest about injuries: For anyone brand-new to a cardio program, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the most suitable options. If your knees or hips have given you issues in the past, your doctor might explain that a low-impact workout is best. Take their advice to heart and understand that training for a marathon may not be the best at this time. If you have any concerns whatsoever, be sure to consult your physician before you start anything new.

Get real about your goals: Is this just about getting your heart pumping every day? Are you trying to take off a significant amount of weight? Long-term health goals will inform your cardio choices. Someone who wants to improve their heart health will benefit from working out at a steady pace, but this alone won't make pounds fly off the scale. The best workouts for weight loss typically include some form of interval training, alternating between periods of pushing your body to the max and rest periods. Try a Tabata workout that burns a ton of calories for an effective workout for weight loss.

Keep reading for two more things to consider when choosing a cardio workout.

According to the American Heart Association, most women should be consuming no more than 24 grams, or 6 teaspoons, of added sugar per day. If you know you're part of the population that needs to cut back, this 1,425-calorie meal plan will help you reach your low-sugar goals deliciously.

Breakfast: Quinoa Spinach Scramble (1.6 grams)

Whip up a quick and hearty quinoa spinach scramble that's high in essential vitamins and protein but incredibly low in sugar.

Pre-Workout Snack: Four Strawberry Banana Creams (7.2 grams)

The perfect balance of protein and carbs makes this low-cal and relatively low-sugar strawberry banana cream recipe a sweet treat you can enjoy guilt free.

Keep reading for the rest of the low-sugar meals.

If you've grown accustomed to celebrating healthy accomplishments with food, it's time to change your tune. Instead of heading to a boozy happy hour or booking a reservation at yet another restaurant, slow down, think things through, and consider one of these healthier — and just as enjoyable — rewards.

Shop for new clothes: Show off your hard work with new threads you've been coveting. If you are in need of a dress for a special occasion, this is the perfect time to shop. Otherwise buy some new fitness gear to help your new habits stick.

Book a spa treatment: A massage or facial is quite the luxury, but even something as simple as a quick hair blow dry or manicure can make you feel equally pampered and rewarded.

Order event tickets: Look online to see if any bands you love are coming to town. If music isn't your thing, buy seats to a big sports game or play rolling through town. When you have something to look forward to, you'll want to be looking and feeling your best.

Send yourself flowers: Instead of sinking your teeth into a cupcake, call your favourite florist or stroll through a farmers market to pick out a big bouquet of flowers. Every time you look at the arrangement, you'll be reminded of all the hard work they represent.

Running a 5K anytime soon? Let this upbeat playlist serve as the soundtrack to your race. Every song in this mix is the perfect speed for your needs, so if you run a 12-minute mile, you won't need to shuffle through your iPod or switch tracks in the middle of your run. Subscribe to the Spotify playlist, then keep reading for the full list of fun tunes.

If you've grown accustomed to celebrating healthy accomplishments with food, it's time to change your tune. Instead of heading to a boozy happy hour or booking a reservation at yet another restaurant, slow down, think things through, and consider one of these healthier — and just as enjoyable — rewards.

Shop for new clothes: Show off your hard work with new duds you've been coveting. If you are in need of a dress for a special occasion, this is the perfect time to shop. Otherwise buy some new fitness gear to help your new habits stick.

Book a spa treatment: A massage or facial is quite the luxury, but even something as simple as a quick hair blowout or manicure can make you feel equally pampered and rewarded.

Order event tickets: Look online to see if any bands you love are coming to town. If music isn't your thing, buy seats to a big sports game or play rolling through town. When you have something to look forward to, you'll want to be looking and feeling your best.

Send yourself flowers: Instead of sinking your teeth into a cupcake, call your favorite florist or stroll through a farmers market to pick out a big bouquet of flowers. Every time you look at the arrangement, you'll be reminded of all the hard work they represent.

How do you celebrate your healthy accomplishments? Tell me below!

A gluten-free lifestyle seems to be all the rage these days, but only 1 in 133 people suffer from Celiac disease. If you're not part of this statistic, Heidi Skolnik, nutritionist to the Julliard School and the School of American Ballet and the Women's Sports Medicine Center, insists there's "no need to go gluten-free." Instead of following this restrictive diet, Heidi offers this helpful tip: diversify. Doing so can make for a healthier diet and quiet down digestive discomfort, says Heidi.

When it comes to carbs, Heidi says that in the US the primary focus is on wheat. While Heidi says "nothing is inherently wrong with wheat," replacing wheat-based carbs with other grains will add more nutrients to any diet and can also help stomach discomfort to disappear. It may be that just eating less wheat is all it takes stop the digestive issues you are suffering from, says Heidi.

For anyone who tends to have a wheat-based diet, help your digestive system work at its top potential by adding brown rice, quinoa, and even potatoes. By diversifying the sources of complex carbohydrates you're eating, you don't necessarily have to give up gluten for good. "It's just healthier," says Heidi.

She also offered a helpful reminder for anyone who thinks that all gluten-free snacks are healthy, "A gluten-free cookie is not better than a cookie with gluten." While a minor indulgence here or there is always welcome for a balanced life, a cookie is always a cookie.

Are you part of the population that has given up gluten without having Celiac disease? Share your experience below.

If you, your partner, or the majority of your guests aren't vegan, then the idea of a dairy- and egg-free cake might seem a little far out. But with all the dietary restrictions on your guest list, finding a happy medium can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, we discussed this issue with Erin McKenna, the founder of the renowned NYC bakery Babycakes that specializes in vegan and gluten-free culinary creations.

According to Erin, you can't even taste the fact that the "Babycakes brownie cake with vanilla icing is vegan or gluten-free." But instead of going all out and ordering a vegan cake for every guest to enjoy, another trend that's picking up steam at wedding receptions, bridal showers, and even bachelorette parties is to offer additional vegan-friendly options.

Many brides are ordering vegan and gluten-free cookies, cupcakes, or doughnuts to supplement the traditional dessert served at their celebration. This way, every guest feels included and is able to take part in sweet celebration. If you don't want to single anyone out for their diet, then consider setting everything up together on a festive dessert table. Erin believes this is a "fun and clever way to have options for everyone."

Have you seen this trend at any weddings you've attended? Did you have a vegan option at your wedding? Share below!

If you have the option to plug in at the workplace, then mix up your favorite music playlists with a healthy podcast or two. Each of the following options offers a fresh perspective on the topics that affect your everyday life.

The Dr. Christiane Northrup Podcast
Every week in her podcast The Dr. Christiane Northrup Podcast, Dr. Northrup, MD discusses different aspects of women's health. From getting the most out of a doctor's visit to sugar addiction, she tackles the issues that plague women head on — and many they'd be afraid to ask!

The Jillian Michaels Show
You don't have to wait until the next season of The Biggest Loser to enjoy a big dose of Jillian Michaels's tough trainer love. Jillian has her own weekly podcast, The Jillian Michaels Show, where she offers tools to help you live your healthiest, happiest life.

Dishing Up Nutrition
If you're constantly curious about how the food you eat affects every aspect of your life, then tune into Dishing Up Nutrition. A number of licensed nutritionists and dietitians discuss major obstacles and top trends in the world of nutrition and offer realistic solutions to alleviate dietary issues.

Do you have a favorite podcast you love to listen to? Share below!

Even when you're short on time, takeout isn't the only option. In less than 20 minutes from prep to plate, you can easily enjoy one of these healthy dinners.

Penne Alla "Not-ka"

Traditional penne alla vodka recipes lay the cream and saturated fat on heavy. This lightened-up penne alla "not-ka" might take the booze out of the equation and cut down on cook time dramatically, but the flavor and texture is just as delicious as the original.

Quick Chicken Soup

Swap out your standard can of sodium-laden condensed soup for fresh, homemade, dilly chicken noodle from POPSUGAR Food. As long as you have some precooked chicken breast in your fridge, you can have a big pot of soup ready to go in less than 20 minutes. Just be sure to use low-sodium chicken stock for this easy supper.

Baked Coconut Shrimp

Bulk up a plate of baked coconut shrimp by serving it over a big bed of lettuce. No need to search for a dressing to complement the recipe; simply toss your greens in some of the creamy Greek yogurt dipping sauce.

Keep reading for two more healthy dinner ideas.

Tank-top and bikini season is on its way, and sexy, toned arms are always in season. Each of these triceps-toning exercises will help combat the notorious arm jiggle.

Triceps Dip

Whether you're outside, at the gym, or at home, triceps dips get your arms pumping. Be sure to avoid these common triceps dip mistakes to make the most of this move and keep your body safe.

• Position your hands shoulder-width apart on a secured bench or other stable surface.
• Move your butt in front of the bench with your legs bent and feet placed about hip-width apart on the floor.
• Straighten out your arms, and keep a little bend in your elbows in order to keep tension on your triceps and off your elbow joints.
• Now slowly bend at your elbows and lower your upper body down toward the floor until your arms are at about a 90-degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the bench.
• Once you reach the bottom of the movement, slowly press off with your hands and push yourself straight back up to the starting position.
• Repeat for one minute.

Side Arm Push-Ups

Another alternative for your standard push-up routine is the side arm push-up. It tones your triceps, deltoids, and the outside of your chest.

• Lie on your right side with your knees and hip bent to 45 degrees. Wrap your left arm around your waist, and place your left hand in front of your right shoulder with your fingertips parallel to your body. Keep your waist lifted with energy shooting out of the top of your head.
• On an exhale, press your left hand into the ground and push yourself up, straightening the left elbow. Inhale, and slowly lower yourself back to starting position.
• Do three sets of 10 to 15 reps.

Keep reading for two more exercises that tone your triceps.

Take the guesswork out of your home fitness routine with a quick and effective workout. This high-energy session focuses on building strong arms, and its fast pace will keep you engaged, helping the time fly by. Turn on the accompanying Spotify playlist, grab a pair of light dumbbells, and a yoga or Pilates mat, and get ready to move. Keep reading for the full workout, plus the playlist.