1. Exercise boosts brainpower.

Exercise helps your mental function. It increases energy levels and increases serotonin in the brain. It is clear that those who exercise are more productive at work.

2. Movement melts away stress.

Once you start working out, you will experience less stress in every part of your life. Exercise produces a relaxation response and will elevate your mood. When you are less stressed, you are less irritable. This, in turn, could improve your relationships with your family and coworkers.

3. Exercise gives you energy.

When you improve your strength and stamina, it is easier to accomplish everyday tasks. And this will help to make you feel more energetic over the course of the day

Source: WebMD

Recipe:

A HEALTHY SOUP RECIPE
Cabbage Soup Recipe

• 6 large green onions
• 2 green peppers
• 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
• 3 Carrots
• 1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms
• 1 bunch of celery
• half a head of cabbage
• 1 package Lipton soup mix
• 1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
• 1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)
• Season to taste with salt, pepper, parsley, curry, garlic powder, etc.

Directions:
Slice green onions, put in a pot and start to saute with cooking spray.

Cut green pepper stem end off and cut in half, take the seeds and membrane out. Cut the green-pepper into bite size pieces and add to pot.

Take the outer leafs layers off the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to pot.

Clean carrots, cut into bite size pieces, and add to pot.

Slice mushrooms into thick slices, add to pot.

If you would like a spicy soup, add a small amount of curry or cayenne pepper now.

You can use beef or chicken bouillon cubes for seasonings.

These have all the salt and flavors you will need.

Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the V8 juice), cover and put heat on low. Let soup cook for a long time - two hours works well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

FITNESS INFORMATION

Exercise Can Reverse Muscle Loss
Source: Exercise & Sports Science Reviews

Summary:

• Mitochondrial dysfunction varies among muscles and in proportion to Type II muscle fibers
• Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in development of sarcopenia (muscle shrinkage), a leading cause of disability in the aged
• Exercise training can reverse the dysfunction that occurs with age

Comment:
Strength training improves size and function of Type II fibers, so would be important in reversing muscle loss.

Exercise Keeps Weight Off
Source: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Summary:

• Participants in weight loss program were assessed at 4 and 16 months
• Eating variables were significant in weight loss at 4 months
• Intrinsic exercise motivation, such as interest and enjoyment, was more predictive of long term weight loss

Conclusion:
Diet is associated with short term weight loss but exercise motivation is more important in longer term weight management.

Fitness Helps Emotions
Source: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Summary:

• Participants in a large study were tested for cardio-respiratory fitness and surveyed for physical activity and mental health measures
• There was an inverse relationship between maximal CR fitness and depression and a positive graded response between CR fitness and emotional well-being
• There was also association between physical activity and both emotional measures

Conclusion:
High cardio fitness and physical activity are associated with less depression and greater emotional well being.