Kimberley Walsh weight loss: Singer shed three stone and toned slim waist with this diet

Kimberley Walsh is a popular singer, actor and television presenter. Recently, fans have noticed her shrinking waistline and she previously revealed a three stone weight loss. What diet and exercise plan did she follow?

The singer managed to drop an impressive three stone following the birth of her youngest son in 2017.

Since then, she has used diet and exercise to keep her enviable slim frame.

Diet plan

While many people will burn fat by sticking to a strict diet, Kimberley used portion control instead.

Kimberley Walsh weight loss: The singer slimmed down by three stone (Image: GETTY)

Kimberley Walsh weight loss: She used a healthy diet plan and portion control to slim (Image: GETTY)

Rather than focusing on what she ate, the singer previously explained watching how much she ate helped her tone up.

She has opened up about her love of SlimFast products and credited them for being high in protein and low in calories.

Kimberley told Fit & Well: "The shakes are great when I'm working out because they're high in protein. I always thought I'd struggle with a diet plan that only has sweet food.

"SlimFast snacks suit me because there are savoury options. My favourite is the Spicy Thai Noodles, at only 70 calories."

As well as watching how much she eats, the Girls Aloud star will substitute high carb foods, such as pasta, for healthy spiralized vegetables.

Exercise

Keeping fit is clearly a big part of her life and Kimberley has been recently staying in shape with home workouts.

In a post shared on Instagram, the mother-of-two said she was following workouts by the Body Coach Joe Wicks.

Kimberley Walsh weight loss: Exercise and pilates helped the singer slim down (Image: GETTY)

The caption read: "Shout out to @thebodycoach for working out with us all every morning! This is pretty much how it goes down in our household, slightly chaotic yes but we get it done.

"It's great to have a bit of routine and something to focus on to set us up for the day.

"Especially on those days where I have zero motivation but know I need to find some for the kids."

She has also credited pilates for toning up her famously slim waistline.

In particular, the pop star likes to take part in zero gravity pilates which focuses on low-impact moves to tone the body.

"I've been doing zero gravity pilates which is a tame version, it's hard strength wise, for me that's really good, to feel strong, I've never been great at cardio," she told The Sun.

Kimberley is also a regular on stage and has starred in a selection of broadway productions.

She is sure to stay fit while taking part in dance rehearsals for shows.

Where Does Fat Go When You Lose Weight?

Given that obesity is one of the major public health concerns worldwide, many people are looking to lose fat.

Still, a lot of confusion exists around the process of fat loss.

This article reviews what happens to fat when you lose weight.

Excess consumed energy — usually calories from fats or carbs — is stored in fat cells in the form of triglycerides. This is how your body preserves energy for future needs. Over time, this excess energy results in a fat surplus that can affect your body shape and health.

To promote weight loss, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. This is referred to as a calorie deficit (1, 2).

Though it varies from person to person, a daily 500-calorie deficit is a good place to start to see noticeable fat loss (3).

By maintaining a consistent calorie deficit, fats are released from fat cells and transported to the energy-producing machinery of the cells in your body called mitochondria. Here, the fat is broken down through a series of processes to produce energy.

If the calorie deficit continues, fat stores from your body will continue to be used as energy, resulting in a reduction in body fat.

summary

Over time, a consistent calorie deficit frees fat from fat cells, after which it's converted into energy to fuel your body. As this process continues, body fat stores are reduced, leading to changes in body composition.

The two main promoters of fat loss are diet and exercise.

A sufficient calorie deficit causes fats to be released from fat cells and used as energy.

Exercise amplifies this process by increasing blood flow to muscles and fat cells, releasing fats to be used for energy in muscle cells at a more rapid rate and increasing energy expenditure (4).

To promote weight loss, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends a minimum of 150–250 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, equaling around 30–50 minutes of exercise 5 days per week (5).

For maximum benefit, this exercise should be a combination of resistance training to maintain or increase muscle mass and aerobic exercise to increase calorie burn (4).

Common resistance training exercises include lifting weights, bodyweight exercises, and resistance bands, while examples of aerobic exercise are running, biking, or using an elliptical machine.

When calorie restriction and a nutrient-dense diet are paired with a proper exercise regimen, fat loss is more likely to occur, as opposed to utilizing diet or exercise alone (6).

For best results, consider seeking help from a registered dietitian for dietary guidance and certified personal trainer for exercise programming.

summary

Diet and exercise serve as the major contributors to fat loss. A nutritious diet that provides a proper calorie deficit combined with sufficient exercise is the recipe for sustainable fat loss.

As the process of fat loss progresses, fat cells drastically shrink in size, resulting in visible changes in body composition.

Byproducts of fat loss

When body fat is broken down for energy through complex processes within your cells, two major byproducts are released — carbon dioxide and water.

The carbon dioxide is exhaled during breathing, and the water is disposed of through either urine, sweat, or exhaled air. Disposal of these byproducts is greatly elevated during exercise due to increased breathing and sweating (7, 8).

Where do you lose fat first?

Commonly, people desire to lose weight from the belly, hips, thighs, and butt.

While spot reduction, or losing weight in a particular area, has not been shown to be effective, some people tend to lose weight from certain areas faster than others do (9, 10).

That said, genetic and lifestyle factors play a significant role in body fat distribution (11, 12).

Moreover, if you have a history of weight loss and weight regain, body fat may distribute differently due to changes in fat cells over time (13).

Why is it so hard to keep weight off?

When you eat more than your body can burn, fat cells increase in both size and number (14).

When you lose fat, these same cells can shrink in size, though their number remains roughly the same. Thus, the primary reason for changes in body shape is a reduced size — not number — of fat cells (14).

This also means that when you lose weight, fat cells remain present, and if efforts are not made to maintain weight loss, they can easily grow in size again. Some studies suggest that this may be one reason why maintaining weight loss is so difficult for many people (14, 15, 16).

Summary

During weight loss, fat cells shrink in size as their contents are used for energy, though their numbers remain unchanged. Byproducts of fat loss include carbon dioxide and water, which are disposed of through breathing, urination, and sweating.

Depending on how much weight you aim to lose, the duration of your fat loss journey can vary significantly.

Rapid weight loss has been associated with several negative side effects, such as micronutrient deficiency, headaches, fatigue, muscle loss, and menstrual irregularities (17).

As such, many advocate for a slow, gradual rate of weight loss due to the expectation that it's more sustainable and may prevent weight regain. However, limited information is available (18, 19, 20).

That said, if you have a significant amount of fat to lose, a more rapid approach may be warranted, whereas a gradual approach may be more appropriate for those who have less fat to lose.

The expected rate of weight loss varies with how aggressive the weight loss program is.

For those with overweight or obesity, a weight loss of 5–10% of your starting body weight during the first 6 months may be possible with a comprehensive lifestyle intervention including diet, physical activity, and behavioral techniques (21).

Some other factors affect weight loss, such as gender, age, the extent of your calorie deficit, and sleep quality. Also, certain medications may affect your weight. Thus, it's advisable to consult your healthcare provider before starting a fat loss regimen (22, 23, 24).

Once you reach your desired body weight, your calorie intake can be adjusted to maintain your weight. Just remember, it's important to continue exercising regularly and eating a balanced, nutritious diet to prevent weight regain and promote overall health.

summary

Fat loss timelines vary by individual. While gradual weight loss may be more appropriate for some, those with a lot of weight to lose may benefit from faster rates of weight loss. Other factors affecting weight loss should also be taken into consideration.

Fat loss is a complex process influenced by a number of factors, with diet and physical activity being two of the major ones.

With a sufficient calorie deficit and proper exercise regimen, fat cells shrink over time as their contents are used for energy, leading to improved body composition and health.

It's important to consult your healthcare provider prior to starting your weight loss journey to prevent any potential negative side effects.

Steelers WR Washington losing some weight working on his farm

© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Steelers wideout James Washington had 44 receptions for 735 yards and three TDs last season.

James Washington has found a home on the range during this NFL offseason.

The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver opened up this week about buying his own farm in Merkel, Texas, and how the manual labor has helped him lose weight.

"As far as lifting, the other day I was trimming trees around here and I don't know if I ever felt my lats burn as much as they did when I was trimming trees and moving big old logs and stuff," said Washington, according to Teresa Varley of the team's website. 

"For sure nature is giving me the best workouts. They may not think I am working on football, but I think some of it translates. I am still running. I am out in the country, so I go on bike rides, too. I am getting conditioning, working on the legs at the same time. I ride seven or eight miles. You may have one or two cars pass you, but you may see more cattle than people."

Washington, who grew up on his family's farm in Texas and majored in agribusiness with a focus on farm and ranch management in college, said he recently weighed in at 205 pounds after being listed at 213 last season.

"I am lighter than last year. I am feeling pretty light," he told Varley. "I feel like it will help with the quick twitch. Especially that second gear when the ball is in the air. In general, just being lighter is good. At the same time, I have been working on strength. I haven't lost any muscle. I am just getting everything back together and just trying to stay healthy, especially at a time like this when you have to stay healthy."

Washington, 24, is coming off a 2019 season in which he caught 44 passes for 735 yards and three touchdowns. With QB Ben Roethlisberger returning from injury next season and JuJu Smith-Schuster entering the final year of his contract, Washington will have even more to prove in 2020.

As for Washington's workout program of choice this offseason, we do know of one former Steelers player who would definitely approve.

Subscribe to Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the most comprehensive newsletter in sports. Customize your email to get the latest news on your favorite sports, teams and schools. Emailed daily. Always free! Sign up now ▸

More must-reads:

Related slideshow: Top 25 potential NFL free agents for 2021, possible landing spots (Provided by Yardbarker)

Column: This Coronavirus Pandemic Weight Loss Plan will help you flatten your curve

As the country remains on coronavirus lockdown, Americans have divided into two distinct groups: People who write Facebook posts that say "I'm actually LOSING weight during this pandemic!" and people who hate that first group.

National unity is crucial right now, so allow me to do what I can to bridge this chasm.

Along with being a beloved newspaper columnist and the only person to appear on the cover of Sexy Man-Calves Quarterly more than twice, I'm also a highly regarded instructor in the evolving field of "nontraditional fitness."

Since the publication of my first book, "Stay on the Couch: The Fitness Will Come to You," there have been possibly hundreds of theoretical "people" who have perhaps benefited from my guaranteed (LEGAL DISCLAIMER: guarantee is not guaranteed) tips for losing weight without exercising or eating less.

My plan revolves primarily around calories burned by surviving the stress and worries of every day life. It's an angst-based gateway to ripped abs.

The coronavirus pandemic has made this approach even more effective, giving everyone the opportunity to leverage their existential fears into new levels of physical prowess!

So join me now as I teach you how to flatten your curve with my guaranteed (not guaranteed) 100%-Effective Coronavirus Pandemic Weight Loss Plan (results may vary).

Step 1: Wake up. If you've done this, you're off to a great start.

Step 2: Remember there's a global pandemic that has upended most aspects of modern life and you're about to spend another day indoors with your family. Feel the burn as your brain performs 17 worst-case-scenario reps at once. Go back to sleep for an hour. You've earned it!

Step 3: Eat a breakfast. Doesn't need to be healthy. You've got a big day of dread ahead of you.

Step 4: Power through your morning yells. Yell at the kids to get up and start e-learning, then yell at them three more times, making sure to "max-out" each set by adding, "DO I NEED TO GET YOU GUYS HEARING AIDS OR SOMETHING!" Get some water when you're done. Hydration is key.

Step 5: Walk to work. The trip from the kitchen to the living room is a solid calorie burn on its own, but when you realize you have another Zoom meeting coming up and add in at least a half-dozen belabored sighs, you'll wipe out the breakfast calories, and then some.

Step 6: You want to give your body some recovery time before you tackle "get morning doughnut," so settle in and do some work while regularly flexing your amygdala, keeping steady anxiety signals firing to your brain's dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. NO EMOTIONAL PAIN, NO GAIN!

Step 7: Get morning doughnut.

Step 8: Rip out some midmorning yells upon realizing your oldest kid ate all the doughnuts and another food delivery isn't coming until the weekend. Continue cardio by rummaging through the pantry for anything doughnut-like.

Step 9: Return to your home workspace and engage in 10 minutes of High-Intensity Interval Weeping.

Step 10: Lunch! Eat feelings.

Step 11: Stare out the window and become irrationally angry at people walking by enjoying themselves, as if life has meaning. Call police. (Bonus "Flatten Your Curve" points if you use a rotary phone.)

Step 12: Stretch fingers then begin a 15-minute rage-tweeting session. Remember, if you feel like you can't make it, push yourself harder. THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR POINTLESS ANGER!

Step 13: Get afternoon doughnut. Yell at older kid again.

Step 14: Attend Zoom meeting. Turn off your computer's camera so you can do five vigorous sets of eye rolls. Turn the camera back on for five minutes to rest extraocular muscles, then repeat.

Step 15: Chase your children from the house into the backyard. (If you're more than two weeks into the Coronavirus Pandemic Weight Loss Plan, add extra cardio to this step by forcefully locking the door.)

Step 16: Open meditation app. Close mediation app after 30 seconds. Allow fear to consume you. Feel pounds melt away.

Step 17 (Optional, and not recommended for beginners): Watch President Donald Trump's daily coronavirus press briefing. Break workout into 10 sets of face-palming, 20 sets of disquieted scowls and no less than 15 minutes of screaming into the void.

That's it, folks. Are you ready to flatten your curve? Just follow these simple steps and I promise (promise not valid in any states) that you'll panic-attack your way to a healthier you!

rhuppke@chicagotribune.com

How Common Is Weight Loss If You Take Antidepressants?

If you live with depression, you know that your symptoms can range from mild to serious and include physical symptoms like pain and fatigue, as well as emotions like hopelessness, sadness, and anxiety.

Depression can affect your appetite and may cause your weight to go up or down, and serotonin levels can trigger appetite changes. High levels cause loss of appetite while low levels lead to increased appetite.

Antidepressants are often associated with weight gain more often than weight loss, and this may be from a combination of factors including genetics, race, age, and gender.

Let's take a closer look at antidepressants and consider which ones might cause weight loss.

It's estimated that episodes of major depressive disorder (MDD) affect more than 17.3 million U.S. adults each year. It's more common in women.

Antidepressant medications have been shown to be effective in managing many of the symptoms of depression. These medications can be an important part of treatment, along with counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

They largely improve symptoms of depression by altering neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These changes can also lead to a swing in weight.

There are five major classes of antidepressants and quite a few list weight gain as a side effect, but individual results can be different.

classes of antidepressants

There are 5 main classes of antidepressants:

Weight changes with antidepressants depend on an individual. It's difficult to say how a medication will affect your weight.

Although exact causes are unknown, the brain chemicals dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are thought to play a role in depression, and some studies also show depression and weight are linked.

A few antidepressants have had reports of causing weight loss:

bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo, Wellbutrin); this has the most studies connecting it to weight loss

fluoxetine (Prozac); results vary though some people experience weight loss

duloxetine (Cymbalta); while results are unclear, some people report weight loss

SSRIs may cause weight loss with short-term use, but taking them for 6 months or more can lead to an increase in weight.

Your doctor will discuss benefits, risks, and side effects before you start any new medication. This includes weight-related side effects of antidepressants.

If side effects are bothersome, there are other options your doctor will discuss with you. However, weight loss is generally not a major concern when taking antidepressants based on current scientific studies.

Many antidepressants have been reported to cause weight gain rather than weight loss. You may initially lose weight with an SSRI medication, but that changes the longer you take it.

Also, as the medicine works to improve your symptoms, your appetite might increase and return to normal levels. This will help with weight maintenance.

If weight loss is a concern, talk to your doctor about the best ways to manage weight while on antidepressants. They can offer tips and strategies to maintain healthy weight through diet.

Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can also impact weight negatively. Cognitive behavioral therapy and improved self-care plans can help with managing these concerns.

You can also consider consulting a nutritionist about foods that might be helpful in gaining and keeping weight stable.

Antidepressant medications aren't prescribed for weight loss for several reasons:

they're not approved for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

they haven't been proven to be effective as weight loss agents

they can cause serious side effects

most antidepressants are associated with weight gain

If you've been diagnosed with depression, your doctor will discuss the best medication option for you based on your specific needs. This includes taking weight into consideration.

Several studies have shown bupropion use in MDD can lead to weight loss. If your doctor feels you would benefit from this medication over other antidepressants, they'll discuss this with you.

Studies have shown that weight gain might occur with newer antidepressants. In addition, research shows that depression itself can lead to weight gain.

Antidepressants together with symptoms of mood disorders, poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking can all contribute to weight gain.

Some antidepressants that have been reported to increase weight include:

If your medication is helping your symptoms but you're worried about weight gain, don't suddenly stop taking the medication. Talk to your doctor. There are solutions to manage weight increase.

This might include:

talking to a registered dietitian about a healthier diet

adjusting the dose or timing of the medication

switching to another medication

adding a daily exercise plan to maintain weight goals

getting enough sleep

Keep in mind, changing medications can result in different side effects or a return of depression symptoms. Also, some medications can take several weeks to take effect.

Weight changes can be a concern with antidepressants. While more antidepressants typically cause weight gain, a few can reduce appetite, and cause nausea, vomiting, or weight loss. This might be temporary until your body gets used to the medication.

Your doctor will carefully monitor weight changes while you're taking antidepressants and can offer tips on how to manage your weight.

Keep in mind that shifts in weight might be from the mood disorder or other causes. It's important to look at all aspects of weight changes.

Don't suddenly stop taking your medication at any point. It might lead to more serious mood and behavior changes like withdrawal, or relapse of depression.

If a medication isn't working to improve your symptoms or weight is a serious concern, your doctor can develop a plan to help change your medication. Remember, new medications may take some time to start working, so it's important to be patient.

Weight-loss, porn and lipstick: How Chinese women have coped in coronavirus lockdown

As the UK enters its fourth week of lockdown, many people are turning to social media as a means of escape and connection with the world outside. Memes, coronavirus-inspired songs and dancing doctors on NHS wards, new trends are popping up all the time - many of them having first emerged in China.

From live-streamed fitness classes to 'cloud-raves', China is ahead of the curve when it comes to how to keep yourself occupied at home.

On top of binge-watching TV dramas and gaming, China's social media has also focused a lot of attention on women's bodies during the most intense periods of lockdown. Conversations ranged from fitness to losing weight, cutting hair at home and even balancing lipsticks on your collarbones.  

With salons shut, the hashtag #Hairstyleaftercoronavirus became popular on Weibo, a Chinese platform similar to Twitter. Reports from the consumer site Pinduoduo showed that DIY haircutting tools were the top-selling item online, while e-commerce giant JD.com reported a tripling in such products compared to last year.

Some women chose not to wash their hair at all, and even the superstar actress Fan Bingbing posted a video in which she admitted to not having shampooed for a week.  

 For others - as is happening in the UK - lockdown was all about learning to DIY. Video tutorials from ordinary women on how to cut fringes were shared widely and hairdressers also began to live-stream haircuts. One such demonstration showed a "Lisa-style" fringe cut, inspired by the singer Lalisa Manoban of the Southern Korean band Blackpink was watched by 130,000 people. It showed the hairdresser in a surgical mask and sterilising his tools after each cut. 

In March, one of the hottest trends on Weibo centered around women's legs. The hashtag challenge "Best-looking legs according to women," which has had more than 800 million views, saw users posting pictures of their own limbs, as well as those of celebrities. Alongside these, a questionnaire asked: "How heavy do you consider  'slightly heavy' to be?" with the options 110lbs (7.9 stone), 120lbs (8.6 stone), 130lbs (9.3 stone) and 140lbs (10st). The majority of votes were for 110lb, which is about three stone lighter than the average British woman. 

The intense focus on weight might seem unhealthy, but it hasn't shocked anyone in a country where women openly discuss their bodies and it's seen as fashionable to voice a desire to lose weight. They talk in exact pounds and ounces, using hashtags such as #howtoloseweightduringtheoutbreak.  

Celebrities have fuelled the conversation by discussing their weight online. During a live stream Q&A, Yukee Chen, a popular 27-year-old TV actress, was asked by a viewer if she had put on weight from staying-in. She replied: "I've fattened to 80lbs now; it's too scary. Oh My God!".    

Another famous actress, 35-year-old Tong Liya, showed fans how to make "pumpkin-curd" from her kitchen. In the video, watched by 10.5 million people, Tong says jokingly: "I've been eating lots of sweet foods and I got quite a lot fatter, exceeding my previous [weight]... it's almost 90lb now, and the director said 'don't eat anymore!'"   

The actress also described how she has been running indoors "for at least half an hour" every day, which she increased to 40 minutes in order to "look slimmer" for her fans on the live stream.

The indoor fitness craze that is currently gripping Britain first started in China two months ago, as live exercise classes popped up on nearly every social media platform. The Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, launched an "Online Gym" challenge to get people moving, featuring Olympic medalists. Gym brands such as Monkey College offered classes for "all the family"  including grandparents, in a move similar to the online tutorials being offered by Joe Wicks.  

On the video platform Bili Bili, viewers have been spending more than three hours a day watching live content from users or 'hosts' – many of whom have become influencers in the time of coronavirus – sing, dance or just chat. The vast majority of hosts on live streaming platforms are women, while most of the viewers are male. Indeed, the surge of activity on both parts during lockdown led to one of the biggest sites in China, Douyu, to introduce stricter regulations to avoid obscenity, banning female hosts specifically from showing their underwear, including "bikinis", as well as "see-through" clothing.  

Perhaps unsurprisingly, demands for porn has also risen, according to search engine Baidu. Banned in China, people nevertheless have tried variations of "porn" to get around restrictions. There was an uptick in downloading VPNs, which allow users to jump China's virtual "firewall" to access sites overseas.

Among the other, more obscure trends is the hashtag "Balance lipstick on collarbone challenge" started by actress Chen Shu, an ambassador for Lancôme. Chen launched a 'challenge' asking users to post pictures of themselves balancing tubes of lipstick on their collarbones.  Viewed as an advertising ploy by some, others have seen the challenge as a clear test of thinness, again putting a spotlight on weight. Weibo user, Tangerinestudent_Carrie, commented: "Do you drink five meals a day of dew water?" referring to how slim the actress is.  

While aesthetics seems to have dominated much of the online chatter, there has been more original – and inspirational content during the time of coronavirus. Videos of women dressing up in beautiful dynastic clothing have been a hit, and the latest videos from Li Ziqu, a young woman who lives entirely off her grandma's farm in Sichuan, already had one million views a day after it was posted.  

Women have also been showing a renewed interest in Chinese calligraphy, usually taught in school, according to online search terms from Baidu. Mothers are seemingly playing a bigger role in their children's schooling as "online education" has been popular among female internet users. 

But with the number of new domestic Covid-19 infections consistently nearing zero in the last few weeks, shops and restaurants reopening, a more active outdoor life – and the possibility of showing off some legs – is in sight. Lockdown restrictions in Wuhan will be lifted this week. On social media, women are now posting pictures of spring blossom and meals in restaurants.

Given the near-identical way trends are playing out, so far, let's hope the UK will be doing the soon. 

How To Lose Weight Just By Thinking About It

Best news ever.

Have you ever been told that you're holding yourself back? It's actually more common than you realize. People seem to have a problem with constantly putting themselves down and not motivating themselves — especially when it comes to weight loss. 

Losing weight for most people is a long, strenuous process. You have your exercising and your dieting, but those two things don't come easily to everyone.

RELATED: 5 Surprising Ways You Are Killing Your Weight-Loss Progress

Some believe they aren't doing enough, or find that they're doing too much yet still not seeing the results they're looking for. Others may not know exactly how to lose weight with lifestyle changes that work in the long-term for them.

Well, according to a new study, you can lose weight just by thinking about it.

No, seriously — according to this study done by the Mind and Body Lab at Stanford University suggests that our beliefs about how much we exercise could heavily influence our health and weight loss.

RELATED: 10 Daily Mistakes You Make That Completely Sabotage Your Weight Loss

Apparently, whether or not our beliefs about weight loss are right or wrong, simply changing the way you think about exercise could potentially help you lose the weight more successfully. 

Alia Crum, the head of the Mind & Body Lab at Stanford University, and her co-author first conducted their research on the subject by studying 84 female hotel-room attendants. The attendants explained they felt they completed little to no daily exercise, although their work consists of them running around the hotel daily to complete their tasks each day (which of course does count as physical activity). 

After their initial interview, the researchers explained to half of the hotel-room attendants that due to their work, they were already meeting or exceeding national recommendations for 30 minutes of daily exercise, and just a month later when the researchers checked back with the same women, they now believed they were exercising more than ever before. What's more, according to the researchers' data, all the women went on to lose weight and body fat and even developed lower blood pressure despite not actually exercising more than they had before.

Which means yes — the thought does count.

Basically, it all goes back to your mindset. If you think negatively about your health, you're more likely to indulge in unhealthy habits that can obviously put a damper on your life. But if you choose to think positively and believe in yourself, you can, in fact, lose weight and live a healthier and happier life. 

RELATED: 10 GENIUS Weight Loss Tricks — No Gym Time Or Diet Required

​Brittany White is a 26-year-old Journalism Major from Orlando, Florida who has been interning for YourTango since early 2016.

Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on April 4, 2018 and was updated with the latest information.​