Exercise improves thinking in children.

Exercise Improves Thinking, Diabetes Risk In Overweight Children

ScienceDaily (2007-10-22) -- Just three months of daily, vigorous physical activity in overweight children improves their thinking and reduces their diabetes risk, researchers say. Studies of about 200 overweight, inactive children ages 7-11 also showed that a regular exercise program reduces body fat and improves bone density. ... > read full article

Need motivation? The 20 best reasons to exercise.

The most supportive community of people helping each other lose weight and get fit that I've ever seen is at the Million Dollar Body message boards. They are a bunch of regular folks trying to exercise, eat well, and live a healthy lifestyle every day. Sometimes they fall off the wagon, but they always have each other for motivation and a hand lifting them back on when needed.

I wanted to find out what makes them tick. Why do these people tie up their Nike Shox in the morning when the rest of us just hit the snooze button. I asked the MDB community to tell me why they exercise. I got hundreds of responses. Here are some of my favorites:

I exercise...

1. to make me smarter! There was a study of brain function of people who hung out at a Starbuck's in Illinois. The half who had their coffee at Starbuck's got no smarter. But the half who took it to go and walked 45 minutes, 3 times a week actually had improvement in their IQ scores!
2. So I can fit into my speedo on my next vacation to the south of France without hearing a chorus of "eeeeuwwwww!" ... ... ... ... I'm just kidding. I'd never vacation in France!
- TheFitDoc (that's me!)

3. so I can see my step son's face grimace when he hear's guys his age call me a MILF. (which someone had to explain to me to which I then grimaced)
- Katenator

4. so I feel better and have more energy during all hours of the day... no more energy crashes (so Robert Goulet will NOT be messing with my stuff... hope you've seen that commercial ).
5. I now smile instead of frown in dressing rooms because I LIKE how clothes look on me. I've actually started wearing shorter skirts because I'm not embarrassed to anymore.
6. so that I can do laundry on my abs. Ok, kidding... I can't really do laundry on my abs... I don't want to get all soapy-like in that manner.
7. I love fitness because it has helped me to love myself.
-MelanieB

8. to improve my health and finally get a fit body so I can play on the floor and monkey bars with my grandchildren and even maybe my great grandchildren.
-Just_Joyce

9. because its my time with God, when I can talk to him while surrounded by his creation, and where I can hear him speaking back to me. Its my set date with my God.
-TraciM.

10. because the best way to end a day is sweaty and out of breath and exercise is the second best option.
-MAPMD

11. I love that "I rock" feeling that comes after a great workout and pushes me to the next one.

-CourtMK

12. So I can make time with some MILF's. (Hey there ladies! )

13. So I can be a DILF. (Figure it out.)

14. So I can start healthy habits that my kids will learn from by example. My little ones will learn to eat better, work harder, and have a dad that they're proud of.

-LostInDaJungle

15. It's my time alone, to meditate and get into MY zone. It's MY TIME. And as a mother and wife, I NEED that to stay sane!
16. Life just feels better when you workout - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It's ESSENTIAL to living!
-jesika

17. to ease stress so that I do not end up in prison for "losing it" on my boss!!!!
-Charline (note: I hope Charline's boss isn't one of my 3 blog readers!)

18. I exercise and eat right because there are many things life we cannot control, but we can control both of those things!
-daizyhawkinz

19. because I don't want to run out of steam if there's a life to be saved (especially mine)
-fireman_1969

20. to be an example to others around you and help change America from becoming an obese country! We can change the country one person at a time!
-Boysdad

See the full list here.

If you need help staying motivated, join the Million dollar body message boards. There are literally hundreds of people here to help you reach your goals whatever your reason!

Go Bananas: The Monkey Diet.

"The Monkey Diet". (or "What will those crazy Brits think of next?")

What happens when you take a dozen Brits, lock them in a zoo for a dozen days, and make them eat a monkey-like diet? Someone wanted to find that out and televise it, so that is what they did. Researchers gave 12 volunteers a diet of 2400 calories a day consisting of raw fruits, veggies, nuts, honey, and cooked fish. "Overall, cholesterol levels dropped 23%, an amount usually achieved only through anti-cholesterol drugs statins. The group's average blood pressure fell from a level of 140/83 - almost hypertensive - to 122/76. Though it was not intended to be a weight loss diet (with a whopping 2400 calories per day), participants dropped 4.4kg (9.7lbs), on average." This is the type of food our bodies evolved to eat over many thousands of years according to the dietician who designed the experiment. It really makes you think about what you put in your body. Since returning from a New York fitness camp last summer, I've improved the types of foods I've been eating. Without watching calories at all, my body fat has cut down to the lowest level it has ever been in my adult life. The fuel you put in your body makes a difference.

Now if they'll just let me out of the zoo.

Obesity in America: Just open your wallet.

Man, this obesity thing is expensive!!!

Here's a new one from researchers at Emory University, published today in the health policy jounal Health Affairs. _________________________________________________________

From the Washington Post:

The study found that 17.1 percent of European adults are obese but the rate is nearly double — 33 percent — for American adults.

"We expected to see differences between disease prevalence in the United States and Europe, but the extent of the differences is surprising," said Kenneth Thorpe, the lead researcher and chairman of Emory University's Health Policy and Management Department. "It is possible that we spend more on health care because we are, indeed, less healthy."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80 percent of diabetes, heart disease and strokes could be eliminated through reductions in obesity.

Mr. Thorpe added that if the U.S. is able to bring down the obesity rate to Europe's level, the system could save $100 billion a year.
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What can you do to reverse the obesity epidemic? Click here to Join the Million Dollar Body Fitness Revolution. Find out how to lose weight, win money, get in shape, and help others do the same! Or e-mail me to learn more.

Dr. Kevin Kane
TheFitDoc
http://www.thefitdoc.com/