I have friends who rave so much about Bikram yoga, you'd think it was some kind of healthy drug. People get so hooked, they won't do any other type of yoga, and they commit to going practically every day of the week. They become so in love that they tell all their friends to go too. If you're curious to check out what all the buzz is about, here are some things you should know before stepping into the studio.

One of the big things that sets Bikram apart from other types of yoga is that it's hot — even hotter than hot yoga. The room is heated to about 105ºF, so that means you can expect to sweat buckets. That's why loading up on the H20 is imperative before hitting class to prevent dehydration. You might also benefit from cutting down on caffeinated beverages and processed foods. And don't eat two hours beforehand since it's best to do yoga on an empty stomach.

You won't need to bring much to class. Although the studio offers mats you can borrow, with the sweaty nature of Bikram, you'll want to steer clear of those germ-havens and bring your own. Having a hand towel handy is also a good idea to help absorb sweat from your body and wipe slippery puddles from your mat. For your attire, opt for comfortable clothes, preferably something fitted made out of wicking material. Many women wear tank tops or sports bras and spandex shorts because you'll find if you wear baggy clothes, they'll become annoyingly heavy with sweat.

Just to warn you, the studio may have a mirror at the front of the room. This is to help with correct alignment, and not meant to make you feel self-conscious about how your leg isn't as straight as Fanny Flexible in the corner. You'll be led through a series of 26 postures by an instructor who may be wearing a microphone. She may walk around and assist you, meaning she'll give you verbal cues or touch your body to help you do poses correctly. Before class begins, it may be a good idea to let the instructor know it's your first time.

Since most people aren't used to working out in this kind of heat, you may feel dizzy, nauseous, or overly tired during or after class. You may also get a headache, so take a break if you need to to get some air and sip some water. After class, these symptoms may persist, and you may also feel extremely famished or not hungry at all. Try not to worry as this is all very normal when it coms to doing Bikram Yoga. If you're really into it, give your body several weeks to adjust to the extreme heat and challenging poses. Who knows? You too might become so obsessed with Bikram, you'll start convincing your friends to go.

Why is it that I can get the slightest bump and, the next day, I've got a huge bruise? Sometimes bruises show up, and I don't even remember hurting myself. Sound familiar?

A bruise develops when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture. Blood leaks into tissues under the skin and causes the oh-so-attractive black-and-blue color. They can also become bumpy, which is called hematoma, and that happens when blood collects and pools under the skin. This is no cause for concern, unless the bruise is accompanied by a greater injury or intense pain.

As bruises heal, usually within two to four weeks, they often turn all colors of the rainbow, including purplish-black, reddish-blue, or yellowish-green. Sometimes the area of the bruise even spreads down the body in the direction of gravity. A bruise on a leg usually will take longer to heal than a bruise on the face or arms.

Keep reading to find out if bruising easily indicates a health issue.

I know that exercising in the early a.m. before you head to work can be a real challenge. If you aren't a morning person, missing out on sleep can seem very unappealing, but here are some reasons you may want to set your alarm for an early morning workout.

1. It's usually a peaceful, quiet time of day, so it can be a great opportunity to think and get some time alone.
2. Exercising in the morning wakes up your brain, clears your mind, and helps you organize your thoughts or your mental to-do list, preparing you for the day ahead.
3. If you get it done first thing, then you won't have to worry about trying to squeeze it in to your busy schedule, especially if you have kids. Plus, studies have shown morning exercisers are more consistent.
4. Exercising helps get things moving, digestively speaking, so working out early can prevent getting backed up later on in the day.
5. Since working out on an empty stomach can cause you to lose muscle, morning workouts will encourage you to eat breakfast, which has been proven to boost your metabolism, which helps to burn calories.

Fiber, fiber, fiber. We all know we should be getting enough. It's recommended that women eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day to decrease the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as some types of cancer including breast cancer.

Eating plenty of fresh, luscious fruits in your diet is a great way to fill up on fiber, but which sources are the best? Keep reading to see a chart comparing the fiber content of your favorite fruits.

Being in a relationship is so exciting that spending so much time together can cause your healthy lifestyle to fly out the window. You may even adopt some of your partner's unhealthy habits. That can add up to some extra pounds on the scale, so here are some tips to prevent weight gain while dating.

• Remember that eating an extra 500 calories a day will make you gain a pound in one week, so be conscious of how much you're eating. Just because your guy has three slices of pizza, that doesn't mean you should too. Guys need more calories, so remember to eat appropriate sized portions, even when dining together.
• You don't have to eat just because your partner is. Guys tend to inhale their meal, and then an hour later they're eating again. It can be tempting to join in if food is in front of you, but don't nosh unless you're truly hungry.

• Keep up with your regular exercise schedule. When you're in a relationship, you don't want to sacrifice the things that are important to your own well-being, so make time for your 20 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. Get up early before work or steal away during lunchtime so you don't feel like it's taking away from time spent with your loved one.
• Or better yet, exercise together. Meet at the gym after work, play tennis or racquetball, take salsa dance lessons or a Vinyasa yoga class, or join a dodgeball team.
• Spend more time being active together instead of sitting on the couch. You don't have to be really athletic, but you can tour a museum, take a walk in the park, hike in the woods, or go for a bike ride.
• Sign up for a healthy cooking class together so you can both learn new ways to make delicious dishes that are full of nutrients but not full of saturated fat, cholesterol, and empty calories.

You went for a gorgeous two-hour hike in the woods, brought back some great photos and uh-oh — you also brought back some poison ivy. When you accidentally brush up against this plant, the uroshiol oil rubs onto your skin, and can instantly create redness, raised bumps, blisters, and an insatiable itch. First and foremost, get out of the clothes you were wearing on the hike and wash the oil off your skin using soap and cold water (warm water opens your pores) to prevent the rash from spreading.

Unfortunately, now you're left with an itchy, bubbly rash. Topical creams like Calamine lotion and hydro-cortizone can keep the itchiness at bay, but when it comes to poison ivy, the quicker it heals, the better. Reach for the remedy, pure tea tree oil. It's all natural, not that expensive, and easy to find at most health food stores. Thoroughly wash and dry the affected areas. Sprinkle a few drops of the tea tree oil directly on the rash and use a Q-tip or cotton ball to spread it around. Apply a few times a day, and you should see the blisters disappearing and the rash clearing up.

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antifungal, and drying properties, which is why it's so effective against the dreaded poison ivy. This natural remedy can also be used to treat acne, minor cuts and scrapes, athlete's foot, and yeast infections so it's great to keep a bottle in your medicine cabinet.

Source: Flickr User frotzed2

Are you getting enough fiber each day? The recommended daily quota of fiber for women is 25 to 30 grams, not only to keep the body regular, but also to help lower cholesterol and to prevent heart disease and certain cancers. If you're having a hard time eating enough fiber — or you have no idea how much you're getting — include one of these fiber-filled foods in your diet for an extra five grams each day.

• One cup fresh raspberries: 8 grams
• Half of an avocado: 6.7 grams
• One Ginger Snap Larabar: 6 grams
• One large sweet potato: 5.9 grams
• Nine broccoli florets: 5.5 grams
• Medium apple with the skin (4.4 grams) with one tablespoon all-natural peanut butter (1 gram): 5.4 grams
• Medium pear with the skin: 5.1 grams
• One cup of Barbara's Bakery Shredded Oats: 5 grams
• 15 almonds (2.1 grams) with two medium figs (2.9 grams): 5 grams
• Two tablespoons of flaxseeds sprinkled on your cereal or salad: 5 grams
• 1/4 cup dried blueberries: 5 grams