8 Life Quotes and Tips to Make You Think

I love thought-provoking quotes – seemingly simple, yet interestingly profound phrases that have the power to get our minds thinking straight.  That’s what this short post is about.  Below I have listed eight of my favorite thought-provoking quotes, along with my interpretation and outlook on each one.  I hope you enjoy thinking about them as much as I do.

1.  Dealing with Problems

“We can not solve our problems with the
same level of thinking that created them.”
―Albert Einstein

Realize that not all movement is progress.  When stress and tension and chaos surround you, pause for a moment and relax.  The best time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it. Select a specific challenge, deal with it, and then move calmly and confidently to the next.  When you’re being pulled in multiple directions at once, take time to remember what you value most.  Focus on what’s most important to you and you’ll naturally direct your greatest energy to the right source. Life is filled with either problems or possibilities.  What you see is what you choose to see.  On the surface life can seem tumultuous and perplexing, yet deep inside, where it truly matters, life is what you make of it.  Choose to see beyond the problems to the possibilities that await your attention.

2.  Happiness and Personal Growth

“You cannot protect yourself from sadness
without protecting yourself from happiness.”
―Jonathan Safran Foer

Live every day of your life in full.  Experience the highs and the lows, the positives and the negatives, and all the moods present between the various extremes.  Don’t focus on simply being happy.  Focus on living a well-rounded, seasoned life.  Focus on achieving completeness.  Yes, happiness is part of this completeness, but so is sadness, difficulty, frustration, and failure.  And overcoming these latter points supports your personal growth far more than constant happiness. The feelings of happiness and fulfillment are nice when they happen, and they are needed, but they don’t strengthen you.  Instead of asking, “Is this making me happy?” ask, “Is this contributing to my completeness?”  If you’re struggling and making progress, the answer is “yes.”  

3.  Inner Peace

“We don’t realize that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace.”
―Elizabeth Gilbert

Inner peace does not depend on external conditions; it’s what remains when you’ve surrendered your ego and your worries.  Peace can happen within you at any place and at any time.  It’s always there, patiently waiting for you to turn your attention toward it. Peace of mind arrives the moment you come to peace with what’s on your mind.  It happens when you let go of the need to be anywhere but where you are, physically and emotionally.  This acceptance of the way things are creates the foundation for inner harmony.  The need for something to be different in this moment is nothing more than a worry, and worries simply lead you in circles.  Acceptance will bring you back to your peaceful, productive center. Remember, the same part of you that longs for peace is the part of you that experiences peace.  It is not complicated to achieve and is as close as your next thought.

4.  Appreciating What You Have

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
―Epicurus

Don’t pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, simple, and yet not-so-small gifts in your life.  It may seem strange to feel thankful for those events in your life which appear to be ordinary, yet it’s precisely by being thankful that you can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.  You may not see the value in spending time and effort acknowledging all the little, seemingly insignificant things in your life, yet without the little things there would be no big things. Don’t let what was once a miracle become common to you.  Don’t get so accustomed to life’s goodness that you overlook it.  Let your enthusiasm rise from the doldrums by being thankful for what you have.  Seize every opportunity to be appreciative.  Make genuine gratitude a constant companion to who you are, in all that you do.  

5.  Replacing Excuses with Action

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the BS story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.”
―Unknown

Instead of making a lot of excuses, make a little progress.  Instead of looking back with regret, step forward with enthusiasm.  Choose to view your life based on the best of what is possible.  Choose to define yourself based on the person you know you are capable of becoming.  If you believe it, you can do it. All the negativity from the past can be erased in the moment with a single positive action.  Go ahead and make it happen.  The best way to disconnect from a troubled past is to trust and connect with possibilities of the present moment.  When you embrace the power of now, the future belongs to you.

6.  Knowledge and Education

“When you know better you do better.”
―Maya Angelou

Your education is the most powerful weapon you possess.  It has the power to change the world.  Keep it thriving.  Do not confuse your schooling with your education.  The classes at school end; your education is a continuous lifelong process. Keep your mind open to new ideas.  Challenge your beliefs when you’re given a chance.  The greatest advancements in your education will be based on your willingness to absorb fresh information without resistance and without losing your temper or your poise.

7.  The Importance of Asking Questions

“The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, she’s the one who asks the right questions.”
―Claude Lévi-Strauss

There is profound power in asking questions.  In fact, the most successful people are rarely the ones who have all the answers, they’re the ones who ask the right questions.  Don’t be afraid to ask.  Ask when you don’t understand.  Ask for what you want.  Ask how to make things happen.  It’s the reason children are always asking so many questions, because they know they’ll never get anywhere if they don’t ask.  The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Bottom line:  Growth is more about asking than telling.  The way forward is yours for the taking – the way forward is yours for the asking.  

8.  Endings and Beginnings

“In every end, there is also a beginning.”
―Libba Bray

Everything in life has to come to an end sometime.  It’s important to acknowledge and accept the end of an era – to walk away sensibly when something has reached its conclusion.
Closing the door, turning the page, moving on, etc.  It doesn’t matter what you call it; what matters is that you leave the past where it belongs so you can enjoy the life that’s still available to be lived.  This ending is not THE END, it’s just your life beginning again in a new way.  It’s a point in your story where one chapter fades into the next.  Take a look at the first page of this new chapter; it’s a beautiful one.

Researchers Say This Is the Magic Amount of Water to Drink for Weight Loss

You've probably heard before that water can help you lose weight, right? But can it really? That's what researchers from Nutrition Sciences at the Berlin School of Public Health, Charite University Hospital wanted to know, so they reviewed 11 related studies to find out.

Of the 11, they found three supporting the idea that water helped in weight loss. One found that people who drank two cups of water before eating a meal lost more weight—four pounds—than people who didn't. And the results of another showed that people who drank at least one liter per day—a little less than the recommended eight glasses—lost more weight than those who didn't. Funny thing, though: They're really not sure why.

One theory is that water helps keep hunger at bay, but there could also be another possibility: Water-induced thermogenesis, a process where drinking water makes you more energetic and, therefore, burn more calories overall.

Of course, the researchers also say that there are still more studies that need to be done in order to find a firm link between water and weight loss. 

Still, there's no arguing that it's important to drink plenty of water: It flushes out toxins, helps carry nutrients to your cells, and supports every system in your body. And not getting enough water can lead to dehydration, which stresses out your organs and can lead to headaches, dizziness, fainting, and exhaustion. So drink up!

Presenting the Best Weight-Loss Tool on Earth

Ever plow through your meal in minutes, only to notice your tablemates are about four bites in? Then pause and hear this weight-loss news: Research shows that fast eaters are as much as 18 pounds heavier than slow eaters, and they’re two and a half times more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes. In other words, pacing yourself just might help keep you slim.

Why? “Most of the mechanisms involved in satiety, the feeling of fullness and satisfaction, take time,” says Kathleen Melanson, Ph.D., who has studied how eating speed affects health at the University of Rhode Island. “And certain fullness hormones aren’t even released until food starts to empty from your stomach, which can take a half hour or more.” Slowing down allows your body to sense when you’re not hungry anymore. So what’s a reasonable eating speed? A grilled chicken breast with a side salad, fries, and a glass of water should take you at least 32 minutes to eat. (Most of us polish it off in 21.) Some tricks to help you slow down:

Don’t keep up with the guys.
Men down about 80 calories per minute, on average, compared with our 52—and since they need to eat more in a day, the speed’s not a problem for them. But if you match a man bite for bite, you’re eating too fast. (Group meals can also lead you to chow down faster, as you rush to join the convo.)

Chew longer!
A key technique for slowing down, according to Melanson: Chew each bite 15 times (you’ll only have to count at the beginning; then you’ll get used to the rhythm). After you swallow, picture the food traveling down your esophagus before digging in again.

Beware finger food.
Using a knife and fork can slow your eating rate by 54 percent, so try having your pizza with silverware. Smaller utensils help too—say, a teaspoon instead of a soupspoon for ice cream.

Watch out for processed stuff.
But not just for all the usual reasons. People who choose whole-grain carbs eat almost 30 percent more slowly than those who have refined grains, since all that roughage requires extra chewing, Melanson’s research found.

And how about a little candlelight?
When Cornell scientists tricked out a Hardee’s with mood lighting and soft music, people ate more slowly—and ultimately downed 133 fewer calories. A relaxing atmosphere keeps you from rushing, researchers explain, while a bright, loud joint prompts you to eat quickly. Dimmer switch and Michael Bublé, anyone?

4 Places at the Gym That Just Might Get You Sick

Want to hear something gross? (If you don't want to hear something gross, you should maybe skip to the third paragraph of this post. But it helps prove a point! So...you know, read at your own risk.)

At my last gym, I noticed something that can only be described as truly yuck: previous shower-ers (or maybe just one who was extra-prolific?) were blowing their noses in the showers, sans tissue, and leaving the evidence for all to see. Without going into a rant about it (why? Why wouldn't you just use a Kleenex before hopping in the shower?), it was a reminder that, while gyms are good for us, and most facilities do their absolute best to keep things hygienic and tip-top, things can be germy.

In fact...want to know the places inside a gym that are most likely to get you sick? Sure you do!

Barbells, dumbbells, and weight plates. A basic sneeze can send 100,000 infectious particles into the air at 200 miles an hour--when someone catches those buggers with their hand instead of a tissue (or even an elbow), they can transfer easily to handheld gym equipment. Before you lift weights, spray down the equipment (gym etiquette says to do this after you're finished with your set, but how many people really follow that?).

Water fountains. A study from the University of Arizona found that 28 percent of gym surfaces are gym havens, and water fountains scored high on the list. One way to head off those bacteria? Bring your own water bottle!

Locker room floors. The moist floors are ripe for fungal and wart viruses (ew). Bring your flip-flops for showering, and never reuse the sweaty socks you've just worked out in.

Your own gym bag. This so makes sense: how often do you rush home and throw everything from your workout (including the bag) into the washing machine? I totally don't--my old socks sometimes live in my bag for weeks. Germs and bacteria gravitate toward sweaty workout clothes, so keep the dirty duds from touching the clean ones--a plastic bag can do the trick.

The Diet and Exercise Plan Lauren Conrad Uses to Get Fit, Fast

You know what's especially cool about Lauren Conrad's "Get Fit Quick" plan? It's actually really sensible and doable, which--let's face it--can't be said of every star's method of dropping a few LBs. 

And if you're still plugging away on your New Year's fitness goals but feeling like you might need an extra push, or maybe just something a little different in order to shake up your routine a bit, this could possibly do the trick.

Lauren breaks things down into categories, starting with some ground rules, such as:

• Stay focused and remind yourself daily of why you want to get fit and healthy! Flex that willpower.
• Drink lots of water. Aim to drink an ounce for every pound you weigh.
• As soon as you wake up, have some lemon water. Try to do this at least 3 times a week. (If you do it every single day, it can make your teeth a bit sensitive.)

She has a list of foods to avoid--candy, baked goods, soda, white bread, fried foods--and also some recipes that are seriously things you might want to eat anyway (like watermelon-feta salad, and overnight oats). I think the exercise options are within reason, too, like these:

• Run for 30 minutes or powerwalk for 1-hour
• Alternate walking and sprinting for 60 seconds for 20 minutes
• 1 hour of yoga, kickboxing, Pilates, hiking, or spin

...and she also shares some customized workouts--like the "Calorie Blast"--from her trainer, which you can do at home. 

Are You Sleeping in the Wrong Position?

People change sleeping positions anywhere between about three and 36 times a night. Do you know where you fall in there? There are nights I wake up in the exact position in which I fell asleep--but if the state of my messy hair is anything to go by, there was plenty of tossing and turning in the middle there.

But according to experts, sleeping in one position can be a problem. Occasionally, sleeping in the same position every single night can cause pain, like neck or shoulder pain. And keeping your body in the same position for hours on end can squish the body on one side and stretch out the other, which can end up causing an imbalance, which can come with pain.

So put finding the right position on your to-do doze list. Says Peggy Brill, a Manhattan orthopedic physical therapist: "It's important that people take time to think about how they position themselves when they sleep. Rest is important for the muscular skeletal system to recover. ... The proteins get back into the muscles, there's rejuvenation of the body, so you want to be in a healthy anatomical position when you sleep."

Of course, there isn't just one position that's ideal for everyone. But if you have any of these conditions, here are some positions to adopt (and avoid!):

If you snore or have sleep apnea... don't sleep on your back. It exacerbates the narrowing of the throat passage, making it even harder to breathe. Doctors recommend sewing a tennis ball in the back of your PJs to keep you from ending up on your back, or at least get a wedge pillow with a 30 percent incline to keep you from lying flat.

If you have acid reflux... sleeping on your side (which is the position that 57 percent of us at least start snoozing in, according to Tempur-Pedic) can help heartburn, keeping the gastric juices from bubbling up your esophagus. And some studies even say that sleeping on your left side is better than the right for reflux, but experts are still debating that.

If you have back pain... sleep on your back, preferably on a firm mattress. Bending your knees can help, too, helping to stretch and open up the part of your back that's sore.

If you're pregnant... docs say to sleep on your side--specifically the left side--to increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the baby and its placenta. Putting a pillow underneath your belly can help with back pain, too.

Oh, and sleeping on your stomach? Experts generally don't recommend it, since the chances of constraining your neck are pretty high. (Sometimes it just feels so good to sleep that way, though!)

How to Work Out the Most Important Part of Your Body

If you made New Year's goals to exercise more (lots of us! Me too!) and get healthier in general, then be sure to include a super-important body part in your workout regimen: your brain.

And I don't mean like this:

Ha. But seriously--how often do you exercise your brain? The experts behind Lumosity--a brain-training site--say it's important to give your brain regular workouts. Not just because it helps keep your brain healthy and happy, but also because it will help the rest of you get in shape! Take a look at their tips for keeping your brain shipshape (I love these):

Eat right. You do it for your body--why not your brain? Fruits and vegetables with antioxidants help prevent cell damage, and omega-3 fatty acids are important building blocks in the brain.

Go to the gym. Regular exercise can help keep your brain fit with increased levels of brain chemicals and more efficient blood circulation. Studies have even shown that physical exercise stimulates the production of new brain cells.

Get out more. Like, away from Facebook. We're social creatures and our brains really, really like social contact. Research has shown that having an active social life appears to delay age-related memory loss.

Sleep. Sleep plays an important role in memory formation. Your brain uses sleep to process and make sense of the day, consolidate memories, and generate creative new ideas.

Get your brain in boot camp. The best exercises for your brain are new challenges, such as memory games that use different parts of your brain and increase in difficulty as you improve on tasks. These games can even help improve self-esteem and willpower that can keep you motivated to carry out that resolution to exercise more.

(PS: The games on Lumosity are actually really fun--the site works with institutions such as Harvard, Columbia and UC Berkeley to get research in order to design games specifically to improve brain function. But let me say again: fun!)

Little Things That Make Me Feel Unbelievably Healthy (What's On Your List?)

I have a list of things that, without fail, (even on days when I'm sleep-deprived and have splurged on something I wish I didn't) always make me feel healthy. And when you feel healthy and proud of your choices, your more likely to continue to make healthy choices, right? Here's my list...

 

I call it healthy inertia. By choosing the simple things that make us feel healthy, we're more likely to continue to make healthy choices throughout the day/week. Here are seven things that I turn to frequently to feel healthier:
1. Green tea, repeat: If I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed, or if I've just eaten something I wish I didn't, green tea has this way of resetting my good-health button. Green tea is loaded with good-for-you antioxidants that researchers believe have benefits that range from improved skin to weight loss, so I know that whenever I can squeeze in a cup of green, I'm doing well.
2. Stretching: Maybe it's the act of stopping, pausing, and just focusing on my muscles and joints that has a way of boosting my mood, but I swear by stretching as the ultimate way for me to recharge when I'm feeling stressed, so I do it as often as possible. Do you?
3. Drinking a tall glass of water: Hydrating can kill a headache, reduce food cravings and boost energy--it's no wonder that a cold glass of water is my most frequent trick for getting me in a healthy mood.
4. Taking a hot bath: This one's a double whammie for me: muscle relaxation and aromatherapy (I love lavender bath salts).

I'd also add to this list: a good, long workout; hugs and kisses from lovie-dubbies . :)

Is Your Phone Messing With Your Body? Read Before Texting

Do you always have your phone in your hand, and are you frequently looking down at it to check emails, text messages, etc.? Of course you are! Everyone does. But, wait until you hear what this constant texting posture is doing to your body, and it's not good...

Physical therapists call it "Text Neck"--the common poor posture we have when we lean over our phone. It can lead to neck pain, headaches, back pain, and poor posture.
Here's a fascinating tidbit, from CNN's Jacque Wilson: "The average human head weighs 10 pounds in a neutral position--when your ears are over your shoulders. For every inch you tilt your head forward, the pressure on your spine doubles. So if you're looking at a smartphone in your lap, your neck is holding up what feels like 20 or 30 pounds."
What to do? Try holding your phone up higher next time you're texting or sending an email on your phone, say experts so there's less strain on your neck.
I have a chronic problem of hovering over my Blackberry at all times of the day, and the other day I caught a glimpse of myself in a window while out, and I was shocked by my poor posture. Lesson learned!

Taking care of your skin never tasted so delicious!

Snack time! And, I'll be munch on this fruit, which researchers say has some pretty amazing new health benefits...

They may help fight off cancer, protect your esophagus, and now, keep your skin radiant and skin-cancer free.
The latest news comes from researchers in Italy and Spain who say that an extract from strawberries may prevent ultraviolet ray damage to skin :)

What Your Breathing Patterns Can Tell You About Your Emtional State

Stop for a sec and listen to your breathing. Is it deep? Slow? Shallow? The fascinating things you can learn from listening to your breath...

Yoga lovers know well the importance of deep breathing. But you can focus on breath off the mat, too. Here's what you can learn by paying attention to your breathing from Yoga Journal's Erica Rodefer:
Shallow, chest breathing: This is the universal sign of stress, says Rodefer. "When I notice myself doing it, I know I need to take a deep breath and really access the situation and put it into perspective."
Held breath: "When I’m holding my breath I’m usually trying too hard at something—sometimes it’s a yoga pose, sometimes I’m thinking a little too hard on the word I’m going to play next on Words with Friends," she writes. Either way, she says she knows this means she needs to relax a bit--pronto.
More exhale than inhale: This is my frequent breathing pitfal, and Rodfer has a fascinating explanation for it: "When my exhale is longer than my inhale, there’s a good chance that I’m feeling defeated or depressed," she writes. "Finding more equilibrium and consciously extending my inhalation gives me more energy."
Balanced breathing: "On those occasions when I’m feeling calm, controlled, focused, and just plain happy my inhales and exhales will be the same length and go deeper into my diaphragm," she writes. "It’s kind of astonishing how infrequently I notice this type of breathing--usually just during Savasana, my morning meditation, or before I drift off to sleep."

The Surprising Fruit That May Keep You Slim

You love fruit, but guess which kind may have the power to actually fight obesity. The surprising news...

Apples are chock-full of health benefits (need I repeat the old saying? OK, I'll spare you), but did you know that a compound in apple peels may fight obesity and help with weight loss?

A new study conducted by University of Iowa researchers found that the substance called ursolic acid, found in apple peels, protected mice from obesity by promoting the growth of muscle and brown fat (aka, good fat), both known for their fat-burning effects in the body.

So, eat your apples, gals! And leave the skin on!

"Face Mapping"--What Your Dark Circles + Acne Are Trying to Tell You

That pimple on your forehead--what does it mean? According to dermatologists who specialize in the ancient art of face mapping, it could tell you more about your health than you know.

Alex Gariano over at U Look Haute shared a fascinating look at "face mapping"--the art of unlocking the mysteries of problematic skin. Hailing from ancient Chinese medicine, Gariano writes, "face mapping is a type of skin analysis that explains why and how certain areas of your face are connected to other parts of your body. ...Think of your blemishes as X’s on a map that is your face. Different zones correspond to different problems. With this 'map' as your guide, you can address the underlying causes of blemishes and correctly determine how to prevent them from recurring."

So, what are your breakouts, dull spots and dark circles trying to tell you? Here's a quick guide from Gariano:

Zone 1 & 3: Bladder & Digestive System — Improve your diet and drink more water.
Zone 2: Liver — Try cutting back on alcohol, heavy food or dairy. This area can also indicate a food allergy.
Zone 4 & 10: Kidneys — Make sure you’re keeping yourself hydrated with water and cut back on liquids that dehydrate you. This means nix the soda, coffee and/or alcohol.
Zone 5 & 9: Respiratory system — Those who smoke or have allergies tend to have acne here.
Zone 6 & 8: Kidneys — Dark circles are usually a result of dehydration. Drink up!
Zone 7: Heart — Check your blood pressure and make sure you’re not using makeup that irritates your skin.
Zone 12: Stomach — Consider a detox or adding more fiber to your diet to help with digestion.
Zone 11 & 13: Hormones — Stress and hormonal changes can sometimes be alleviated with more water and a few extra servings of dark, leafy greens but if breakouts in this area persistent, make an appointment with your doctor to look into a possible hormonal imbalance. Additionally, breakouts in this area also indicate when you are ovulating (and which side).
Zone 14: Illness — Can be a sign of your body fighting bacteria to avoid illness. Take a breather and drink plenty of fluids. 

Of course, not everyone believes in face mapping--and the mainstream medical community would likely disagree that your face can predict anything about your overall health--I still find this pretty fascinating (if not just a little bit interesting and fun!). And, I had mega dark circles this morning, so I'm going to stay extra hydrated today!

This Fitness Trainer Gained 75 Pounds to Show the World How to Lose It!

Talk about job dedication! A fitness trainer is making headlines this week after he decided to stop exercising and eating healthy so he could gain 75 pounds to show the world how anyone can come back and get fit. The interesting story...

Imagine being fit--really fit--and then stopping your healthy eating and exercise completely and gaining 75 pounds ... to prove a point. 

Personal trainer Drew Manning decided to give up his healthy lifestyle and start subsisting of a diet on fast food and sugary drinks for six months to show his clients how to work their way back to health. 

He writes about the experience in his new book, Fit2Fat2Fit: The Unexpected Lessons from Gaining and Losing 75 lbs on Purpose, and blogged about the journey.

Interestingly, as he saw his cholesterol and glucose skyrocket, he was most impacted by the emotional component of weight gain: "His self-confidence, that completely went away and depleted," his wife said, noting that he was "becoming lethargic, lazy, not helping around the house."

“I was in denial at first until she kept pointing out the things I was doing,” Manning said on “Good Morning America.” “But I did become lazier. … I had less energy so I did become exhausted and I kept seeing how it affected our relationship because of that. And so that’s where the biggest surprise was, the emotional [part]."

Are Women Fatter these days?

It's a known fact that all people (not just women) are, on average, fatter these days. 

But, a group of British researchers say that women have gained weight over the last forty years for this, rather sexist, reason. 

Do you agree? 

The cause of weight gain among women in the last half-century? 
A team of British researchers says its because we're less likely to be vacuuming and sweeping the floors. 

Sixty years ago, the average woman had a 28-inch waist (really?) and apparently burned 1,000 calories a day doing housework. Today? The average waistline is about 34 inches. Naturally, the researchers say that it was the housework that kept us slim! (What a concept, right?!)
“When you think of the time that women had to spend cleaning and cooking, life is so much easier now - although obviously that has contributed to the bigger waistlines,” one of the researchers said to the Mirror. 

Hmmm..

This Secret Acupressure spot may boost Energy

Yawning at your desk? Me too! Acupressure to the rescue! 

Experts say that rubbing this spot on your legs could give you a boost of energy.

I recently learned about an energizing trick that some people swear by: Apparently, the backs of your knees are loaded with energizing receptors, at least according to the ancient practice of acupressure. 

How to: Simply press your fingers against the back of your knees and apply gentle pressure. Massage lightly if you like, but the key is holding the pressure for a few moments to chase the yawns away. 

Worth a try, right?

Get More Sleep! Here's The Important Reason Why

Can't lose weight? If you've already focused on diet and exercise strategies, consider this surprising culprit..

 

Sleep!

Yes, you've heard that getting enough sleep is healthy, and you've heard the sleep = healthy weight rumors, but it's time to believe them. Here's why: Researchers at the University of Washington just concluded a major study of how sleep affects our weight, and the findings may make you want to hit the hay early. According to the report, getting enough sleep can keep you slim, even if you have a family history of obesity. The takeaways from the study:

*Go to bed early! People who sleep longer at night have lower BMIs than short sleepers (less than 7 hours a night). 

*Sleep seems to "turn off" your genes' role in obesity, which means that if your mom, your grandma, and your great grandma are all obese, you can fight genetics (to some degree) by making sure you're getting plenty of zzzzsss.

*Don't feel lazy about sleeping longer than 8 hours! So what if you're a "long sleeper"--according to this study, sleeping 8 hours or more a night has slim-body benefits. 

Good night and Sweet Dreams Squammies!

3 Cool Ways to Bring At-the-Gym Workouts to YOU

I love learning about the newest ways of working out--whether the methods are crazy-good or just plain crazy. Do you? But there are days I'd just as rather stay home from the gym.

There are obviously tons of creative ways you can work out at home--DVDs, running around your house, standing on one leg. Here are a few others to add to the list:

1: Trampolining
I've wanted to try a trampolining class for just about ever. The problem? No classes near me, boo. Besides the insane fun that comes with boinging around for an hour, it's also an amazing workout choice: a study in the Journal of Applied Psychology has shown that just 10 minutes of trampoline jumping is equal to the health benefits of running for than 30 minutes. Also, trampolining is also supposed to be low-impact and gentler on your knees. Experts say that you can get a great workout at home on your own, performing simple muscle-strengthening moves like jumping jacks or tucks, where you pull your legs into your chest during the jump.

2: ElliptiGO
Is it an elliptical trainer? Is it a bike? It's both, kind of! If the at-gym ellipticals have one big fault, it's that they don't actually go anywhere. This little machine does--while seriously engaging your core muscles (which you have to do to keep from falling over), burning calories, and going easy on your joints at the same time. 

3: Juggling
It's not exactly a standard-issue class at every gym, but JuggleFit is a real workout that's all about--you guessed it--juggling. Why? Well, check out these health benefits: it helps improve coordination, strengthens your core, aids in warding off stress, and a study in Nature magazine even found that learning how to juggle could help build brain matter. Oh, and it also burns 280 calories an hour. Neat.

What's your favorite at-home workout? Is there a class at your gym that you'd like to replicate--in some fashion--at home?

Hit The Beach: It's Good for Your Health

What are your plans this Summer?

If you have plans to take a jog, or just a walk, along the beach, it may be a fantastic health and happiness move. Here's why.

Time spent on or nearby the shore boosts positive feelings and healthy mindsets say British psychologist who polled more than 2,000 people.

Maybe it's the sound of the waves crashing into the shore, the salty air, the mist on your skin--who knows. But, I agree, there is nothing more stress-reducing than a day at the beach.

Can't get to the shores? How about a soothing bath with a salt scrub? A mood music CD that features the sounds of waves and surf? 

Are Spanx Bad for Your Health?

You love your Spanx, of course, as do I! But, one health expert is coming forward to point the finger at our favorite slimming undergarment, saying that shapers are bad for our health. Let's discuss.

Should Spanx, and all shapers, be vilified? Well, one health expert in the UK says they should come with a health warning. These form-fitting undergarments, he says, can cause incontinence, heartburn, even panic attacks. 

"Control underwear is the 21st-century version of the corset, with all the same health risks," said Richard Bricknell, director at the Bristol Physiotherapy Clinic in England, in an article in The Daily Mail. The article goes on to say: "The increased pressure on your lower stomach can force acid up to the gullet, leading to heartburn. Over time, this could contribute to inflammation, ulcers and, in extreme cases, oesophageal cancer."

Hmm. That seems a bit dramatic, no? Spanx causing cancer is a theory I don't buy, but I do see how shapers in general can contribute to unhealthy breathing habits, as it's described here: "By artificially holding in your stomach, control pants prevent your diaphragm from descending fully while breathing, which can lead to hyperventillation, panic attacks and stress incontinence."
The key is maybe don't wear your shapewear everyday, all day. And, for crying out loud, if your Spanx are making you hyperventilate or experience incontinence, get rid of them! 

Am I the only one who finds it a.) annoying that it's a man who is bringing these sorts of "dangerous health warnings" to our attention, and, also b.) wouldn't most women stop wearing their shapewear if they, indeed, caused hyperventilation and bladder leakage? Just sayin'!