Lose weight simply by imagining a slimmer you!

By Martin March, | Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Excess weight is one of the most vexing issues to face individuals in the 21st century. As awareness of the health problems associated with obesity began to increase, so did the ways to shed those extra pounds. A plethora of methods have been tried out from crash diets to exercise regimens, but most of these are just that- fads.

However psychologists at Harvard University now say that just thinking about a slimmer you will do the trick. This does not mean that you curl up and dream of a trim figure.

No, the researchers pointed out that people who do physically demanding work, but are aware of the health benefits of their toil lose more weight than those who are in the same job, but are ignorant of the positive effects.

The study involved 84 hotel housekeepers, whose regular tasks included cleaning rooms and changing sheets. To their surprise, the researchers found that many women were worried that they were not exercising enough although their jobs involved heavy physical work.

The researchers told half the women that they were getting enough mileage to stay healthy. These women were also informed about the number of calories burnt while doing specific tasks. They were informed that vacuuming for 15 minutes burned 50 calories and cleaning bathrooms for 15 minutes burned 60 calories.

The researchers said that the other group was not told about the health benefits.

After four weeks the researchers found that the women in the first group had shed an average two pounds and lowered their blood pressure by almost 10 per cent. Additionally they had also burnt 0.5 percent of their body fat.

The second group did not have any of the above benefits. “The changes were a function of the change in mindset alone,” researcher said. “If you can put the mind in a healthy place, you can have dramatic physiological consequences. If the mind is fully in a healthy place, the body will be as well.”

So go on, think of all the plus points while weeding your garden or even while doing the laundry. These thoughts burn the calories!