A Positive Attitude Can Pump Up
Your Workout

Besides water and comfy shoes, another thing you should bring to the gym is the right mind-set. According to the latest research, how you feel about exercising may add to the effectiveness of your workout.

In one study, women who believed they were getting a good workout during housekeeping reaped more health benefits than women who did the same physical activity but didn’t consider it exercise. After four weeks, without increasing their amount of exercise, the women who believed they exercised while cleaning lost more weight and had lower blood pressure than the other women. Researchers believe this may prove that exercise has a placebo-like effect on the body.

Other studies have shown a link between attitude and exercise. People with upbeat mind-sets about exercise are more motivated to work out. They also stick with workouts over the long term.