Is Water the Way to Weight-Loss?

For years, fitness and health professionals have been telling people to drink more water. Not only is hydration key for the body functioning optimally, but also water helps "fill you up." But has there been any science behind the drink-more-water-lose-weight claim? Not until now.

New research shows that drinking just two eight-ounce glasses of water before meals can help people eat between 75-90 fewer calories at each meal. Over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before three meals a day lost five more pounds than those who did not increase their water intake. Read more of the water and weight-loss research here.

Will you drink more water now?

Photo courtesy of Pink Sherbet Photography on Flickr.

More Students Choosing Career Schools

The Lawrence-Journal World recently did a story on how more students aren't going to colleges and universities, instead they're turning to career schools! WellSpring was featured as part of the article for its programs in massage therapy and personal training.

Click here to read the full article!

Just How Harmful Are Hormones in Our Foods and Environment?

We have all heard how bad environmental hormones are for us, and how prolific they are in our foods, particularly in meat and dairy products. However a recent news report is pretty startling. According to the report: Female infants in China who have been fed formula have been growing breasts.

According to a Chinese newspaper, medical tests done on the babies between four and 15 months old showed estrogen levels as high as what's normally seen in adult women. The jury is still out as to exactly what--it may be many causes--is causing the spike, but it's definitely cause for concern.

Read the full article here. And tell us, what do you think?

Photo courtesy of abbybatchelder on Flickr.

Upcoming Commuity Classes at WellSpring

It's hot outside, so why not head inside and learn with WellSpring? Our upcoming community classes are sure to empower you to take charge of your wellbeing. From getting fit at any age to learning the principles of Feng Shui, it's cool to be at WellSpring!

Click here to read more about our upcoming community wellness classes!

The Most Valuable Degrees Might Surprise You

Yahoo recently introduced a list of some of the most valuable college degrees. While some on the list aren't surprising (No. 1 is bachelor's degree in business administration), some of them really are.

Also, as the massage and fitness industries both become more allied with the medical field, we're happy to see that careers in medical assisting and nursing are also topping the list!

See the full most valuable college degree list here.

When Did Healers Get Such a Bad Rap?

What is a healer anyway? Is he or she a spiritual person? A highly intuitive person? A doctor? An old soul? Someone who helps others?

According to an article from Massage Today, being a "healer" can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, and not always the most positive of meanings. What do you think a healer is? What does that person do?

Photo courtesy of alicepopkorn on Flickr.

Wonder What It's Like to Get Personal Training Certified? Follow Jake!

If you've ever considered getting a personal training certification or wondered what fitness trainers have to go through to be qualified to train, we have a site for you! NASM recently began a blog called The Jake Project that follows a young aspiring trainer, Jake, as he begins his quest to become a NASM-certified personal trainer.

The site aims to help others learn along with Jake--his trials, tribulations and successes. NASM also wants working trainers to help him through the process, offering tips, techniques and advice on how to become successful, pass the exam and learn how to be an amazing personal trainer! We kinda think he should come to school at WellSpring...

Check out NASM's Jake Project!

Have You Heard of Kinesio Taping?

I've heard a lot more about Kinesio Taping lately, but instead of it being just used by athletic trainers and physical therapists, massage therapists are starting to utilize it as well.

Check out this recent article from Massage Magazine that explains what Kinesio Taping is, how it might work (although researchers aren't exactly sure why, which is fascinating) and how it's being used by massage therapists!

Read more about Kinesio Taping.

Study Shows Reduced-Fat Diets Cut Cancer in People—and Dogs

One recent nutrition study has a clear finding: When humans and dogs eat fewer Omega-6 fatty acids (such as corn oil, vegetable oil and grain-fed red meat) and cut calories their risk of cancer declines. In fact, as many as 1 out of 3 cancer deaths in humans and dogs could be prevented with these two steps, researchers say.

So why are Omega-6s part of the problem? According to the research, too much Omega-6 fatty acid can lead to inflammation, which creates an environment conducive to cancer in dogs and people. Scientists suggested reducing sugar intake, too, as excess sugar can also lead to obesity and fuel cancer cells. Click here to read more about this unique health study.

Photo courtesy of benjgibbs on Flickr.

Activity May Not Play a Role in Childhood Obesity?

As even the First Lady is trying to get kids to move more and eat better, one study is saying that one of those initiatives just won't help solve obesity. Yep, believe it or not, researchers from the EarlyBird Diabetes Study found that physical activity has little if any role to play in the childhood obesity epidemic.

In fact, in the study, physical activity had no impact on weight change. However, weight clearly led to less activity.

The study states that "The implications are profound for public health policy, because the physical activity of children (crucial to their fitness and well-being) may never improve unless the burgeoning levels of childhood obesity are first checked. If this cannot be achieved through physical activity, the focus has to be on what--and how much--children consume."

Of course being active has a slew of health benefits associated with it, but this is food (pun intended) for thought for those hoping to reverse the obesity trend, isn't it?

Photo courtesy of Port of San Diego on Flickr.