The Grass is Always Greener…

On the other side of the street! It’s wise to be conscious of the side of the street you walk or run on when working out around your town. Why you ask? Pollution apparently congregates on one side of the street (at least in areas with buildings around), according to research done at the University of Leeds, UK. Steer clear of the side that is downwind.

Streets that are very close together can have drastically different amounts of carbon monoxide, this also study found. Save your lungs by simply switching to a side road off of a main thoroughfare. Even though these streets are relatively close together, this small “step” will give you air that has four times less pollution.

I’ve never considered the pollution much when planning an outdoor route; I usually focus more on making turns with the least traffic and missing the lights. How about you? Do you plan your route to breathe cleaner air? Do you find your workout is harmed by breathing in too much dirty O2?

(courtesy of The Williamsburg Nerd)

Stand (or Sit) Up for Yourself

Did you know that simply adjusting your posture can increase your confidence?Researchers at Ohio State University found that sitting with your shoulders back and chest open makes you feel more assured of your answers to questions than those who slouch.

I find myself with rounded shoulders all the time after spending hours (sadly) in front of the computer. This poor posture usually manifests itself in neck and shoulder tension, but I never knew that it could make me less confident! In the past, it seemed as if poor posture was an effect of a lack of confidence, not a cause. This study found that participants weren’t aware that they were more confident than usual. Interesting!

My freshman high school English teacher kept a sticky note on his computer monitor that simply said “POSTURE!” I might need to do something similar, both for my mental and physical health.

How’s your posture?

(courtesy of Noel Kingsley London)

Water cooler conversation starter: daily caloric consumption in America has obviously gone up since the 1970s, but by how much you ask? Here’s a multiple choice question for you: Calories from what food group have increased the most in the past 40 years?

A. Added sugars
B. Dairy products
C. Protein
D. Added fats
E. Flour and cereal grains

I don’t want to spoil the guesses, so leave your comment then check this out for the answer! (The food group with the greatest caloric increase is listed first in the chart.)