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?

Source

When the subject of exercise comes up this holiday when visiting members of my family, I plan on defending my position on how to "make" time to exercise during the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

It's true that the holiday season is more stressful than most, and it's very hard to find decent time to dedicate to yourself during the month of December to continue an exercise regimen.

But, if you work full-time (if you can define that!) and have family commitments and have holiday shopping and have parties to attend and have decorations to install and have kids' plays to attend and have (insert never-ending list here!), then it may be hard to find time to get your exercise going during the holiday season.

So, what happens? Most of us will make a New Year's resolution to "start exercising" or to "get in shape" starting with the new year. Statistics show that most of this is short-lived. By the start of March, many have given up on their New Year's Resolutions.

Source

Many of us have had bosses that we didn't like for one reason or another, but if a suggestion from a boss would come as "you need to eat right", I would probably listen. It seems that in pursuit of lower insurance premiums and for other reasons, many companies are starting to really encourage employees to eat better.

Nutrition is the cornerstone to staying healthy and to being as productive as possible while not missing work due to illness (which may have been able to have been avoided), so it is no surprise that companies are pushing this agenda. I hope most employees listen, since it is a win-win situation here.

Source