why 13 is your lucky number

Today your lucky number is 13. You can go ahead and change it tomorrow but for take it off tuesday, stick with 13. Why? Because that is the number of things you probably never knew about your weight. In a recent Reader's Digest article appropriately titled "13 Things You Never Knew About Your Weight" (see how well that fits into today's subject?) Joanne Chen throws out some pleasant and not-so-pleasant surprises about the ins and outs of weight loss and fitness. The article is worth a full read but for those wrapping up their 10-minute coffee hot chocolate break, here's the Cliff's Notes version:

1. Yes, genetics have something to do with it. (Ever heard of the fat gene?)
2. It's all in the number--and size--of fat cells. (Some people even have twice as many!)
3. Rev up your metabolism! (Yes, you can change it.)
4. Stress = weight gain. (For me it's a more complicated equation: stress = chocolate + bread - fruits - veggies - sleep = weight gain.)
5. Too much weight gain during pregnancy doesn't help. (Try telling that to a woman craving a Big Mac--who the heck cares?)
6. Sleep has something to do with it. (Sleep, what's that?)
7. Your spouse has something to do with it as well. (For better or for worse...)
8. A virus can do more than cause unwanted phlegm.
9. Dessert and dopamine. (Need I say more?)
10. Tainted taste buds, who knew?
11. Antioxidants are your friends. (Just say "no" to free radicals!)
12. Moderation, not deprivation, is the key. (From Atkins to South Beach, diet gurus agree.)
13. Size might not matter. (When it comes to being physically fit, of course.)

Though the list was long I highly doubt you were bored while reading it. When you read "13 Things You Never Knew About Your Weight," you'll feel the same way. Though I already knew 5 of the 13, I learned a lot about the remaining 8. If you have any other items to add to the list, we'd love to hear about it! --Emily