20 Mins of Exercise a Week Keeps Shrink at Bay

In fighting obesity, little things don't count for much

(NEWSER) - Obesity experts would beg to disagree with the first lady, who said last month that it's the "small changes that add up" in fighting childhood obesity. Contrary to what Michelle Obama and many dieters believe, the body is actually wired to adapt to minor lifestyle changes—one less cookie a day, a few extra minutes of walking—to prevent these changes from making you lose weight. Small steps may prevent weight gain, but it takes big moves to take off pounds. More»

Too much time in the chair increases risk of just about everything

(NEWSER) - Hey you, reading this at your computer: You might want to get up and stretch. A new study shows that every hour per day spent in front of that monitor raises your risk of early death from heart disease by a whopping 18%—ie, someone who spends an average of two hours a day is 36% more susceptible than someone who spends none, even if they're not obese and exercise. It also raises the risk of dying from cancer by 8%, and all causes 11%. The Australian study actually looked at more than 8,000 people who watched more than four hours of TV a day, but the problem isn't the tube, it's sitting down for long periods, the Independent reports. More»

Common mistakes can prevent weight loss

(NEWSER) - If you've mustered the energy to lose weight, nothing is more frustrating than not seeing results. Men's Health lists some common mistakes:

1. Too much carb consumption
2. You're eating low-fat foods, but more of them
3. Skipping breakfast can lead to sugar bingeing

Mayor challenges porky Oklahoma City residents to lose 1M pounds in 2008

(NEWSER) - Oklahoma City tipped the scales in 2007 as America's 15th fattest city—and Mayor Mike Cornett is bent on tackling his town's porkish propensities. He's challenged residents to lose a million pounds in '08, and includes shedding extra weight among his own New Year's resolutions. His program revolves around a website packed with recipes, a body mass index calculator and planned blogs. More»

Six tips to help keep you from sabotaging your fitness regimen

(NEWSER) - All that work, and still no six-pack? Newsweek tips you off to six ways you may be hurting your results—and your body.

1. Reading while exercising: You need focus for results.
2. Excessive sweating: Losing water weight is not the same as losing fat.
3. Skipping resistance training: Lift for long-term results.