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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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5

Even a Little Exercise Boosts Your Ego

Psychological benefits of working out not related to actual fitness: study

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(Newser) – Good news for the semi-motivated couch potato: doing just a little exercise—not actually getting fit—will make you feel better about yourself, a new study says. University of Florida researchers reviewing 57 studies on exercise and body image found that people who exercised got the same body-image boost no matter the duration, intensity, length, or type of exercise.

"You would think that if you become more fit that you would experience greater improvements in terms of body image, but that's not what we found," one researcher tells LiveScience. "It may be that the requirements to receive the psychological benefits of exercise, including those relating to body image, differ substantially from the physical benefits."

Matt Petrovick, 24, a financial planner, exercises at Planet Fitness as President Obama delivers his speech on health care.
Matt Petrovick, 24, a financial planner, exercises at Planet Fitness as President Obama delivers his speech on health care.   (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
People exercise at Planet Fitness as President Obama delivers his speech on health care in Raleigh, N.C.
People exercise at Planet Fitness as President Obama delivers his speech on health care in Raleigh, N.C.   (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
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5 comments
VIEWING:
 
wwwonderer
Oct 8, 09 3:23 PM CDT
Does clicking a mouse count? :-o Reply
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+2
Dr.Gonzo
Oct 8, 09 4:04 PM CDT
yes, as do 12-ounce curls Reply
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kokuaguy
Oct 8, 09 5:55 PM CDT
My favorites are the cheezy flavored ones.
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schmidtkoff
Oct 8, 09 5:14 PM CDT
i like live science. but it sounds like double speak. Reply
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Fromthemiddle
Oct 8, 09 7:13 PM CDT
Exercise is wonderful. I could watch it all day. Reply
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