Whenever I see an old person who is very hunched over, to the point where they are only looking at the floor and can't look forward at all,  I always wonder if they've had a very hard life.

The saying "you look like you have the world on your shoulders" is so true.  When we're troubled, worried, depressed or lacking in motivation we tend to hunch forward.  Sedentary lifestyles and the fact that many people spend 8+ hours a day chained to their PC's, leads me to believe that kyphosis caused by bad posture, will soon be endemic and start to affect people at a younger and younger age.

I found this interesting article on MassageMag.com which says that posture also has an affect on thoughts  - it says "body posture can affect not only what others think about us, but also how we think about ourselves".

Learn more here.

This ties nicely into the holistic concept that the body affects the mind and vice-versa.   If the problem originates from bad posture there are many ways to reverse the problem:  yoga, Alexander Technique, Pilates, Rolfing  and massage to name but a few.

I love the New York Times - their articles on health and fitness are second to none.  I've just read this really interesting article on reasearch done into exercise and the immune system. 

For many long distance runners, footballers and rugby players autumn heralds the start of training for the season ahead.  This coincides with an increase in seasonal flu which strikes horror into the heart of any athlete. 

Find out how you can keep healthy here.

Do you think exercising has an impact on your immune system? Leave a comment - go on!

Ever wondered what some of the more obscure bodywork and complementary therapies are all about?  Then look no further. 

The MassageTherapy.com have produced this excellent online glossary.

I spend many a happy hour browsing for free podcasts on the i-tunes store.

I recently came across a video podcast called self massage for athletes.  They say athletes but don't let that put you off if you aren't one.  These massage techniques will benefit everyone. 

You don't even need an i-pod that supports video, you can simply watch it on your computer screen.  You will need to download i-tunes onto your computer if you don't already have it.

The "episodes" consists of short videos aimed at different body parts.  I have a peek at a few and they look good and easy to do.

So have fun!

I love sleeping - always have and probably always will.  Sleep is now being attributed with improving fitness, marriage and the immune system.

This article in the New York Times, explains how research has shown that athletes who sleep 10 hours a night improve their performance and go on to say that "sleep loading" may be just as important as carbo loading before an endurance event.

Music to my ears!

Photo courtesy of:  Freedigitalphotos.net

Regular readers of my blog will know that I regularly expound the virtues of group exercise.  I can never understand people who do the same gym circuit over and over again, sometimes never increasing their time or reps.  What's the point?

Needless to say I was delighted to read that research has shown that a particular sort of exercise makes you smarter and here's the important bit - pushing yourself further than you normally would makes you even smarter!  I'm always pushed a lot harder than I might normally push myself in an exercise class, thats why I love them.

Here is an excerpt take from a New York Times article:  "For some time, researchers have known that exercise changes the structure of the brain and affects thinking. Ten years ago scientists at the Salk Institute in California published the groundbreaking finding that exercise stimulates the creation of new brain cells. But fundamental questions remain, like whether exercise must be strenuous to be beneficial. Should it be aerobic? What about weight lifting? And are the cognitive improvements permanent or fleeting?"

To find out which exercise is best for the braincells click here

I listened to the Chris Moyles Breakfast Show on Radio 1 yesterday and he was talking to comedian Eddie Izzard, who is doing an amazing challenge for Sport Relief.

He's running 6 marathons a week for 7 weeks!

I baulk at the idea of running a mere one [snivel] and he's doing this?  I didn't even think he was remotely sporty.  Just shows you what the human body is capable of.

To follow his progress click here.

To sponsor Eddie click here

Follow Eddie on Twitter