Psychology
Losing weight is more than a diet plan. Motivation, consistency, and other factors are critical. (185 posts)
Hate Climbing Stairs? These People Don't
These are the piano stairs, a fun little experiment by -- who else? -- TheFunTheory.com. The basic idea behind their initiative is that making something fun is the most effective way to change someone's behavior.
Before the stairs were altered, we clearly see the majority of people using the escalator. But when the stairs become a giant, working piano, 66 percent more people used the stairs. Why? Because it's fun!
» moreTalk Therapy (CBT) Helps Treat Bulimia

Homer Simpson is Britain's New Health Guru

Collider.com
Eric Cartman might have been a better choice, or maybe even Fat Albert, but the British government say Homer Simpson is their man.
Britain's Department of Health is putting up major money to use The Simpsons to help encourage a healthier lifestyle among viewers.
Homer will be the poster boy of what not to do, i.e. no chugging beers and downing doughnuts.
» moreEating Sugar in Childhood Might Make You a Raging Adult
Kids WB
I didn't eat a lot candy growing up. All my Halloween chocolate ended up in the freezer, and then in cookies many months later. It was traumatic.
But, that might have been a good thing. Some experts now believe too many sweets as a kid might make you a more aggressive adult.
I don't know. I'm pretty much sugar-free now, but if someone cuts me off in traffic, it's on!
» moreCould Optimism Be Bad For Weight Loss?

A Japanese study suggests that too much optimism, at least in the early stages of a weight loss journey, could be detrimental to success.
Researchers looked at the personality traits of obese subjects who were already undergoing a dietary, exercise and counselling program. Here were some of the findings, published in the journal BioPsychoSocial Medicine:
» moreDrinkers More Likely to Exercise Than Non-Drinkers

Flickr: a4gpa
If you're hung over, the last thing you feel like doing is taking a hike or going to the gym. All you want is the cool embrace of the side of the toilet bowl!
So, it's pretty surprising to hear people who do a lot of drinking actually exercise more than abstainers.
» moreGot Money Troubles? More Debt Means More Weight-Gain

Flickr: alancleaver_2000
There are lots of symptoms of being broke, such as bouncing checks, shopping at the dollar store, and using bed sheets as window curtains.
Add obesity to that list. A new study claims money troubles and weight-gain are closely related.
If paying off all your debt seems impossible, you are twice as likely to be overweight, and two and half times more likely to be obese.
» moreDo You Try New Comfort Foods When Times Are Tough?

Flickr: stuartpilbrow
I'm a professional blogger, so I'm a tiny apartment and broken down Honda Civic away from homeless--especially now that the economy is a disaster.
Lately, I've turned to a comfort food or two. A few cups of coffee, eel sushi and loaves of semolina bread. Sorry, it makes me feel better!
Those are my old standbys. But, some researchers claim people are more tempted to try new stuff during tough times--weird stuff too.
» more