WEDNESDAY April 16 (HealthDay News) -- Regular physical exercise may help protect against mild cognitive impairment, according to a Mayo Clinic study.

People with mild cognitive impairment can handle everyday activities but often have trouble remembering details of conversations, events and upcoming appointments. Most, but not all, people with mild cognitive impairment experience a progressive decline in their cognitive abilities, and the underlying cause is usually Alzheimer's disease, according to background information in the study.

So I've just learned that I'm obese. And I had NO IDEA. But not only that, no one I've shared this with believes me! Not even my team here at EmpowHer! People have been laughing and rolling their eyes at me all day long. And I can't say I blame them because when you see me, obesity is the farthest thing you think of.

By Amanda Gardner
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Scrubbing the tub and other forms of housework may clean your house and boost your mood.

By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES
ABC News

For decades doctors have agreed that breastfeeding has significant advantages for both mom and baby. Mother's milk helps build baby's budding immune system, establishes emotional bonding and even triggers the release of oxytoxin, the so-called "love hormone" that is associated with both hugging and orgasm.

But what about weight loss for the mother? At least one study says this is a myth. But those who work with nursing mothers say the issue is more complex and argue that in the long run, breastfeeding does contribute to overall fitness.

By Ed Edelson
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, April 8 (HealthDay News) -- Just four weeks of moderate exercise is enough to boost the cardiac performance and breathing capacity of patients with heart failure, a new study finds.

Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.” Does this sound familiar?

When lecturing about exercise and proper nutrition, I make a list of the top ten benefits (even though there are several) and always at the top of the list is, “Decreases the chance of heart disease.” The last item on the list is “Weight Reduction.”

I just saw the forum discussion posting on "prenatal yoga", and was wondering if anyone participated in a prenatal aquatone (or similar exercise class in a pool)? I took this class when I was pregnant (hence the "prenatal"..ha ha), and can not express how much I LOVED it! I ached everywhere, was sore, ugh...I felt like I was in physical agony throughout most of pregnancy...UNTIL I stepped into the pool!

THURSDAY, March 13 (HealthDay News) -- Just 10 minutes to 30 minutes of exercise a day can improve the quality of life for sedentary, overweight or obese women, American researchers suggest.

What do you think about sports drinks? There are more brands out there, targeting (or focusing on) women. Some have lots of sodium, calories and sugar. Others are low-calorie, and all claim to provide electrolytes lost after exercise. How many of us low-to-moderate exercisers need our electrolytes replenished? Are sports drinks a marketing ploy for us to pay lots of money for something we don't need, or are they really beneficial in helping us drink more fluids after exercising? What do you think?