Natural "Brain Drugs" Turned Us Into Endurance Athletes

Ever wonder why us humans (well some of us at least) love to go for long runs and do other forms of endurance exercise? Most animals don't share that trait, so what sets us apart? New research has found that the natural brain drugs responsible for the "runner's high" effect -- called endocanabinoids and endorphins -- caused us to evolve into biped distance runners.

Very intesting stuff here: Runner's High Motivated the Evolution of Exercise, Research Suggests

Exercise & Caffeine Both Do Good Things to Muscle DNA

Here's some good news for coffee lovers, energy drink junkies, and exercise fanatics: caffeine and exercise seem to affect muscle DNA in similar ways. Researchers from the University of Barcelona have found that exercising for even just a few minutes causes rapid beneficial changes to muscle DNA. The incredible thing is that consuming caffeine appears to cause similar changes!

This is great news for those of us who like a little pick-me-up energy booster before our HIIT cardio sessions. The study focus on people who didn't workout regularly but experts believe the positive effects are seen in more fit people as well.

The bottom line: We already know caffeine has some big benefits for athletes and people who exercise regularly. So why not do both -- get in some intense exercise and drink some delicious caffeine -- almost every day?? :)

 Read more: Exercise and Caffeine Change Your DNA in the Same Way, Study Suggests

Short Walks = Less Chocolate Cravings

Want to reduce your cravings for chocolate and possibly other high-sugar, high-fat junk foods? Go for a 15 minute walk!

Researchers from the University of Exeter found that people who went for a short walk reduced their intake of chocolate at work by 50%, a pretty big reduction in calorie intake. They say the short burst of activity greatly reduced appetite and junk food cravings in the study participants. The best news is that even "stressed out" people ate less. Exercise is a proven energy booster and mood elevator. Now that we know it's a craving killer we'd be crazy not to do a little more of it. I'll be back right after I walk around the block!

 Short Walk Cuts Chocolate Consumption in Half

Weight Watchers a Scam? (A REAL Review from Charles Barkley)

Is Weight Watchers really as good as Charles Barkley and other highly-paid spokespeople say it is? Or is it just another weight loss diet rip-off scam?? Charles was caught on tape saying that getting paid just to lose 2 pounds a week is some of the easiest money he's ever made, even going so far as to call Weight Watchers a scam. Check it out:



Some people are saying the slip up is a real review of the Weight Watchers system, which has been called over-priced and only marginally effective (among other complaints) for years. Here's the thing though: this could actually be a great freaking endorsement for the WW plan! I mean, isn't the whole point of these commercial diet programs to make it easy to lose weight?? If I were Weight Watchers marketing boss I'd give Sir Charles a nice little raise.

What do you think?

Exercise = Better Students

Want your kid to actually pay attention in school and be a better student? Make him or her exercise, according to a big new study. Scientists found that children who get regular exercise tend to do much better in school. Apparently it doesn't matter where the exercise comes from -- recess, phys ed/gym classes, sports, or even walking to school -- the benefits are the same.

 The funny (and sad) part is schools all over the US are cutting their phys ed and sports programs to cut costs. Even funnier/sadder: many schools cut gym classes in favor of academic test prep classes.

Good job "No Child Left Behind"!

 Find out more: Want your kids to do better in school? Try exercise