While we are constantly bombarded with the news that more people are struggling with weight issues than ever before and that far too many of us are living sedentary lifestyles,we know that such reports don't relate to everyone. There are many women who are living fit and healthy lives too.

How does exercise shape the quality of our cognitive functions? Does keeping in shape mean that you also keep your memory in a fit state too? If you struggle to retain information could it be directly related to your fitness levels? There's so much research yet to come in this area but one recent study adds to the growing opinion that sedentary lifestyles can affect people's minds.

While most women know that they ought to keep fit around two thirds feel too self-conscious to exercise in public, according to UK mental health charity Mind, with some women preferring to exercise at night even. And it is a feeling many women around the Western world can relate to.

Pain is subjective; each of us has a certain threshold at which point the intensity of a stimulus is at a level where we perceive pain. In fitness, people talk about pushing beyond the pain barrier and working out outside your comfort zone. Certainly to achieve results you need to challenge yourself physically and mentally.

Think about it, behind every successful athlete there is a solid team of supporters who rally around her when needed. While it is the sheer determination and commitment each of us shows in achieving our goals that counts, those around us can be a great help.

Have you ever woken up to declare that this is the day you're going to change your life? This is the day you're going to change your life and lead a fit and healthy lifestyle, right? Of course you have. Do you know what, you're not alone. We all have good intentions to make dramatic differences at various points in time and these sudden spurts of enthusiasm have often been building up inside for some time.

What does fitness mean to you? Is it just about statistics, measurements, and physical results? For many women fitness is about wellbeing. It's about taking a holistic approach to wellness to create a fit and healthy body and mind, and also a balanced lifestyle that complements your quest to feel great.

If you want to transform your life then what will see you succeed is if you strive for this for yourself and not just for others. However, a great motivation to get fit is to consider not just how it can impact your own life but also how it could inspire others around you too.

In a world of ever increasing weight gain, the way to lose weight can seem a far off destination that many people struggle to reach. It seems as if more research is looking at what causes someone to be overweight, aside from simply too much of the wrong foods.

One in eight women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. A statistic that is shocking enough to propel women to make sure they get checked out. One study suggests that another weapon in the fight against this disease is sport.