Blocking Genes, Overcoming Woes and Building Healthy Whipper Snappers
Exercise blocks the so-called fat gene, financial troubles are bad for your health and a new online community helps kids get active.
The Real Fat Blocker
While many supplements out on the shelves claim to block fat (and are completely unregulated and may cause more harm than good, but that’s for another post), turns out the best medicine may be good old-fashioned activity. I can hear regular exercisers across the world cheering in approval. A recent study looked at the FTO gene, or “the fat gene,” in the Amish in Pennsylvania and found that although many of them had the FTO gene, they were not overweight. Why? Because the Amish do a crapton of moderate physical activity. Like three to four hours of manual labor, walking, farming, building, etc. Now, I’m not saying sell your car and reject all technology—’cause we’d lose a lot of dear readers that way—but it does mean that living an active lifestyle is the way to go. Not to mention that genes aren’t the only piece to puzzle.
Researchers say every little bit helps, so don’t be discouraged by the study’s long exercise times.
If the genes fit.
Dollars and Sense
Feeling stressed about your finances? Well, with a tanking economy and rising energy prices, almost everyone is feeling the pinch these days. A recent study from the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation found that 22 percent of people surveyed were stressed about retirement planning, 21 percent were buggin’ about debt management, and 15 percent were losing sleep over budgeting. Sound familiar?
The group warns that these constant worries can take a toll on your health and well-being. Chronic stress has also been linked to disease and sickness, as it reduces your immune system. That’s why, no matter how freaked you are over funds, it’s important to stay sane and as stress-free as possible. Your health depends on it!
Don’t worry. Be happy.
Better Than Facebook
First there was MySpace. Then came Facebook. Now, there’s a new healthier online community in town, and it’s for the kiddos. Parents around the world rejoice! It’s called GoTrybe and school educators, health professionals and families are using the site: www.gotrybe.com. The social virtual community was created for all ages and features workouts, nutritional and wellness information, interactive games, and blogs for youth and parents. GoTrybe hopes to turn kids’ sedentary screen time into active screen time that reinforces healthy habits.
Interested in trying the site out? The kind folks at GoTrybe are giving away a one-year subscription to the site to one lucky reader. Tell us in the comments below or e-mail us at contact@fitbottomedgirls.com about how you’d use the subscription. Erin and I will choose the most deserving entry and announce it later this week. Gluck!
—Jenn