Exercise Helps Work Productivity

Even if you feel that you have to work very hard to make sure that you make your money to pay your bills, you should exercise. Studies have shown that your work productivity is better in all ways when you exercise regularly. Missed days due to illness go down. You work with a clearer mind. You are more relaxed. Here are a couple of the studies that I have found:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/25603.php
http://www.fittogethernc.org/WorkplaceWellnessAbout.aspx
If you aren't healthy enough to enjoy the fruits of your labors, why bother?

"Loving Yourself" and Obesity

This one may anger some and is not "politically correct" but read through it before you get upset:
I recently saw an interview with a current obese movie star. She was saying how she had been on multiple diets since she was 21 (she is now 26) and never was able to lose the weight. She realized that she has to love herself and who she is. (I also feel that being too thin isn't healthy- I had a runway model who was 6' tall and 135 pounds. Her body fat was 29%- Too FAT!) This is totally fine with me. What I have issue with is that it implies that she is going to accept being obese and not continue to do those things that might help her lose weight or, at least, keep her in some healthy condition.
Please, if you are obese, DO NOT STOP EXERCISING and eating properly. I want you to love who you are but that has nothing to do with accepting that you are obese!!! You should do whatever you can to be as healthy as you can. If you have followed this blog you know that one of the main "long term goals" you should set for exercise is that you "make exercise a regular part of your life for the rest of your life" and not that you lose weight! If you base your life this way you will get yourself into the best level of fitness that your body can be regardless of your weight. Your exercise can keep you internally healthy even if you don't lose the weight.
An article that I read says that "Greatest Loser" competitors are being prevented from speaking out against some of the "loss" tactics employed by the show. One former contestant who lost 130 pounds and has since gained them back is being kept from speaking out.
Please keep in mind that a UCLA study showed that "People on diets typically lose 5 to 10 percent of their starting weight in the first six months, the researchers found. However, at least one-third to two-thirds of people on diets regain more weight than they lost within four or five years, and the true number may well be significantly higher, they said."
Weight loss should be gradual and not rapid (unless there are life threatening conditions). This allows for your body to adjust to its new metabolism and size. This link says it all:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/fat-loss-max-week.htm
In conclusion, you SHOULD love yourself and who you are but you should also try to get yourself into your best physical health possible. Exercise regularly (there is a form of exercise for everybody!), eat right and do what you can to maintain your health. You can always improve your health!

Stretching & Flexibility

Here's a study that just came out that dispels many things that I thought about stretching:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/phys-ed-how-necessary-is-stretching/

Keep in mind that they even say that stretching & flexibility should be specific to your needs.

More on Health Care Issues

While not really "exercise" this is something that exercise is directly related to so I will continue to put out thoughts about them. I am constantly looking at different opinions and articles on this issue and find or am directed to many that express some interesting points.
This first is one that is close to irrefutable about how obesity increases health care costs. It also mentions childhood obesity:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-halvorson/point-4-americans-are-obe_b_355281.html
This second one is one that my brother sent to me. It shows how the "Greatest" country in the world doesn't have the "greatest" success in health care, BY FAR! It gives some interesting numbers as to why we NEED reform:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/opinion/05kristof.html?_r=3&em
What do you think?

New Health Care Proposal

I just read where the President Obama wants to set up a system similar to car insurance where everybody has to have it so that there are no 'free rides' and it balances the costs. If that is the case, then the plan should also be like the auto insurance industry in that they offer 'accident free rate reductions' if you don't have accidents- If someone is fit (I am a personal trainer, 12% body fat, never smoked or done drugs and don't drink, exercise 6 days per week, eat properly, etc) and continues to do those things to keep their health, they should be given a reduction in their premium. I find it ridiculous that if I go to GA Blue Cross to set up a plan that I would pay the same premium as someone who is 50 pounds overweight, drinks, doesn't exercise, etc!!!
Where is the fairness in that???

"Junkie"

A MAJOR part of getting fit is your diet. Here's a study that gives new meaning to the term JUNKIE:
http://www.grist.org/article/scientists-claim-junk-food-is-as-addictive-as-heroin