For years, researchers and exercisers alike have spoken about a mind/muscle connection. The assertion is that by focusing on a particular muscle or group of muscles while you work them (for example, if you are doing squats you would focus on your leg muscles becoming stronger), you will stimulate a greater amount of muscle activity than if your mind was on, say, that presentation you have to do for the board of directors tomorrow morning. The same goes for your overall health.

Harvard scientists put this theory to task by explaining to a group of forty housekeepers that their work keeps them in shape. Then, they chose another group of forty housekeepers to study, only they did not say anything to these people. Four weeks later, the researchers found that the group that were told that their work was keeping them fit actually lost an average of 2 pounds and reduced their body fat, BMI, blood pressure, and even their waist size. The other group -- the housekeepers to whom the researchers did not say anything -- showed no sign of physical change.

Without a change of diet, exercise program or anything else, the mere thought that their work was making these forty housekeepers healthier actually made it come true. This clearly supports the mind/muscle connection, in addition to lending credence to all that positive thinking stuff in the book "The Secret."