It's the thought that counts: thinking you got a great workout may make you healthier

Could the perception that you've gotten a good workout offer you health benefits, even if you never broke a sweat? That's something researchers are trying to figure out after an intriguing study published earlier this month.

Researchers compiled a group of 84 female hotel housekeepers and told one group that their daily work responsibilities met the exercise requirements for a healthy lifestyle. The other group was left alone and no further changes were made in either group. Four weeks later, they returned and found that the women in the group that had been told they were exercising were two pounds lighter, had lower blood pressure, and had improved BMI and body fat percentages. The positive changes in their health were significant compared to the control group, especially considering the short period of time.

Researchers don't know if the physical health benefits were direct or indirect, but they do agree that a person's mindset plays a large part in weight loss success. I think it's possible that once these women thought they were improving their health by "exercising," they may have started taking better care of themselves in other ways. What do you think?