Issue 13
October 15, 2009

In This Issue:

• Bottled Water - Not as Healthy as You Might Think

• Keep Moving, In and Out of the Gym

• Fit Tips

Bottled Water - Not as Healthy as You Might Think

Many people drink bottled water because they think it's healthier than tap water. But this isn't necessarily so. Bottled water, because it's defined as a "food" under federal regulations, is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while tap water is regulated under much stricter standards by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Companies that sell bottled water do not have to divulge to consumers the water's source, how the water has been purified, and what chemical pollutants the water may contain. Also, all plastic bottles leach plastic byproducts, like phthalates and BPA, into the water.

There are also environmental concerns when it comes to bottled water. 86% of plastic water bottles used in the United States end up in landfills, taking up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. And large amounts of fossil fuel are used to manufacture, transport and refrigerate bottled water.

So what do you do if you decide to cut back on bottled water, drink more tap water? Even though it's more strictly regulated than bottled water, tap water still contains trace amounts of toxins, and there's also the risk of lead and bacterial contamination. And tap water can oftentimes taste bad.

A water filter is the only way to ensure that the water you drink is clean and free of contaminants. It's an economical and convenient way of getting truly healthy water that tastes great. I've been using a water filter for the last several years, and I highly recommend using one. Check out my review of the best water filtration system on the market.

Keep Moving, In and Out of the Gym

Working out regularly will help you get more fit and healthy, but getting fit and healthy doesn't stop once your workout ends. You also want to keep moving throughout the day. Here's why.

Researchers from the University of Missouri conducted studies to find out what occurs to fat and fat-burning enzymes when the body is at rest. They found that when the body is at rest, the enzymes responsible for burning fat slow down their fat burning process and fat is more easily stored in fat cells. This means that even though we all need to rest and relax at times during the day, you don't want to spend too much time inactive.

There are plenty of simple and easy ways to increase your activity level. Get up from your desk and move around. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Stand or move around while talking on the phone. Take a walk on your lunch break or after dinner.

Fit Tips

• According to the World Health Organization, $75 billion is the estimated amount spent on medical costs in the United States as a result of inactivity during 2000 alone.

• Researchers from Tufts University found that weight training for just two months can double or even triple the leg strength of older people, thus increasing their walking speed and ability to climb stairs, as well as reducing the risk of falling.

• If you're having trouble sticking with your exercise program, try working out in the morning. According to several studies, 75% of those who work out in the morning stick with their exercise program.