Attitude counts!

The latest secret to getting the most from your workout: your attitude, according to a study from the University of Michigan. Researchers found that women who broke a sweat just to lose weight or tone up did almost 40 percent less exercise and walked 2.5 times less than those who worked out for pleasure to energize, improve well-being or enjoy themselves. "Those who exercise to get into shape or fit into a size six may feel it's something they're 'supposed to do,' which is a lot less motivating," says lead study author and psychology researcher Michelle Segar. To get yourself more psyched about your workout, start experimenting with different types of physical activities like kickboxing or body sculpting, working out with a friend or a personal trainer or heading outside if your workouts are usually confined to the gym.We're Healthier! Listen up, working moms: A new study shows that mixing work and motherhood may be good for your health. Researchers assessed women at age 26 and again at 54, checking health and body mass index (a measure of body fat based on height and weight). In addition, the women were asked roughly every ten years about their employment and relationship status and whether they had kids.
The results: Working mothers in a steady relationship reported having fewer health problems and being in better shape than other women. "Our findings suggest that good health is more often the result of combining work and family roles," says lead study author Anne McMunn, PhD, MPH, a senior research fellow at University College London.