That's Exercise?

When it comes to shaping up, everyday activities do add up. Here's the proof!

Can doing laundry help make you fit? You'd better believe it, says Ellen Langer, PhD, a Harvard University psychologist. She told 44 hotel maids their job was a good workout. A month later they'd shed about two pounds. They didn't work any harder, but their mind-set had changed: They believed cleaning could help them shape up, and somehow it did. "If you put the mind in a healthy place, the body will be in a healthy place," says Langer.

But Cedric Bryant, PhD, of the American Council on Exercise, isn't so sure. "I wonder if changing their perception had an impact on their behavior outside work. Did they think, Jeez, I'm becoming healthy while I work -- now I should eat better? The study didn't measure that." In any case, everyday activities do add up. Check out the stats below from The Duke Diet.

Move a Little, Lose a Lot

From Reader's Digest - June 2007

 

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• 50 Habits of "Naturally Thin" People
• Make these weight-loss tips a part of your daily routine!
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• 8 Ways to Burn Calories Without Noticing
• Add a little more activity into your daily routine.
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• No Time to Exercise? No Problem!
• Active errands can help you stay healthy.
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• Get Out and Play!
• Say farewell to winter and hello to fitness with fun ideas for playing outdoors.
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“ Once a day, sit in a quiet, dim room, close your eyes, and focus on one word. This helps reduce stress and decreases your susceptibility to colds. ”

• See All Tips