According to a study conducted by Harvard University psychologist Ellen Langer and her student Alia Crum, perceiving you’re getting enough exercise may help you to lose weight. The results of the study show that it is possible to think your way to a healthier body while you get those daily chores done. Eighty-four housekeepers from seven Boston hotels participated in Langer’s study. The women were between the ages of 18-55 years old. They were divided into two groups. Women from four of the hotels were told they were getting adequate exercise by performing their daily work. The women in the remaining three hotels were not given this information. After four weeks, the women who were told that they were meeting the guidelines for a healthy, active lifestyle (placebo group) lost an average of 2 pounds and experienced a 10% drop in blood pressure. In addition, they improved their body fat percentage, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio. The placebo group’s results were higher than the control group.
We know that housework can be considered moderate physical activity, but how often do we look at it as real exercise? How often do we perform lunges while pushing that vacuum or stretch to reach those cobwebs in high corners? Keep in mind, a housekeeper may clean approximately fifteen rooms a day. It could take 20 to 30 minutes to clean one room. That’s serious cleaning. It involves a lot of repetitive movements and lifting.
Have you read Debbie Johnson’s book, Think Yourself Thin? The author claims she lost 40 pounds (and kept it off) by using visualization techniques that she developed. She says that all of your senses need to be utilized to make this technique work. I wonder if this is why the housekeepers in Langer’s study significantly improved their health. How conscious were they of their actions as they went about their day?
Blogs of interest:
20 Minutes a Day Can Change Your Life
The Benefits of Positive Thinking
The Power of Positive Fitness Thinking
Have you read these blogger’s weight loss stories?
Weight a minute! Tristi’s Story
Give Your Diet a Pick Me Up