Life> Health

UK bosses blamed for workers not fighting the flab

(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-01-22 16:38

Research released today reveals the best benefits of getting down to the gym. Nearly half of the respondents (44%) said they look and feel sexier after a workout and for 15% of the nation the biggest carrot of all is that it boosts their libido!

The not so good news is that nearly half of all Brits (43%) blame the demands of the workplace for stopping them going to the gym to look after their own personal health and appearance, adding to the government's current health and obesity crisis

A further 33% use the family as an excuse for skipping the gym. This trend is further indication that we are increasingly turning into a stressed out and obese nation of 'gym flunkies'.

Conducted by LA Fitness, the survey of over 2,000 people also worryingly reveals when we are feeling low, and the stresses of modern life are really getting to us, a huge 58% are even less likely to go the gym, ignoring the fact it could be just the remedy we need.

When we do get to the gym, almost two thirds of us (63%) proclaim that we love the feeling of wellbeing we get after a workout – with even a fifth of us going so far as to say we love the endorphin rush post workout suggesting we have the potential to be a nation of gym junkies if only work and family matters didn’t get in our way.

Mo Shapiro, an independent psychologist and author who has years of experience examining the link between healthy minds and bodies, analysed the results and commented:"For many people, the commitment needed to look after their health and wellbeing has deep rooted psychological implications. This provokes the person to think about issues such as the need to take accountability of their own health and well-being, the commitments required to achieve this, and the consequences of investing time, effort and money needed to take action, or conversely the guilt of not taking action!