If you thought heart disease was a health problem of the modern age, brought about by junk food and our internet-fixated sedentary lifestyles, then think again. CT scans of ancient mummies have  revealed our ancient forefathers also suffered the hardening of the arteries that this disease brings.

Over-exercising may sound like something of a joke, especially to those who have to force themselves off the sofa to workout. However, not only is it a very real problem but it can have a negative impact on every area of your life, beyond the purely physical effects! Your work, social and home life, as well as the relationships you're involved with can all suffer if you have this type of imbalance.

Have you ever pushed yourself so far, only to grind to a sudden halt on the path to your goals?  You might have gotten so far along that you simply don't want to give up your journey and the possibility of reaching your destination. And being stuck in the same place can be frustrating  in an exercise program, especially if you are no longer seeing ongoing results.

If you lack motivation to keep fit and work out then you might find it difficult to get to grips with the idea that other people have the opposite problem and exercise too much. Of course, it's great to be eager and involved in fitness but as with all things, a bit of balance is a good idea.

The higher up you live the slimmer you might be! It seems that your residential altitude level could indicate your obesity risk. However, before you swap your home for a condo up in the mountains, in a bid to rise above any weight problems, you might want to consider doing something a little more active in terms of exercise first!

Every day reports, research and evidence mounts announcing to the world how such and such a factor impacts your health, wealth and just about everything else inbetween.

The good news is that we seem to be living longer. The not so good news is that we're all less healthy! Certainly if we compare the post war baby boomers with the generation which preceded them. Life expectancy might be rising, especially as new medical advances are made, but the question is, are we doing enough to keep up our end of the bargain and take responsibility for our own health and fitness too? If not, then an aging population and increasing healthcare costs could be debilitating to a country's economy,  and to individuals as well.

With the flu season starting early in the US this year and already at epidemic proportions, and with thousands dying each year, preventative measures are nothing to sneeze about. In the UK, the norovirus has hit hard for another winter, and across the globe the battle against cold and flu symptoms persist.

Job demands mean that being fit and healthy is a real bonus in the modern working world. We're used to hearing about how increased productivity can help employers but there are many advantages and reasons to put your fitness at the top of your agenda when it comes to your work life and career.

Even if you didn't write a definitive list of healthy New Year resolutions for 2013 you no doubt have made some conscious as well as unconscious decisions to make some changes. Right? Are you forging ahead or has the year started off busy with all good intentions pushed to some 'I'll do it soon' category of your psyche? Before the month runs away with itself you might want to put the brakes on any excuses that are ruining your resolve.

The world-at-large might be heading for its own version of the Fiscal Cliff but many people are determined to meet economic gloom and doom with a healthy body and mind. It seems the human instinct for forging ahead is still alive and kicking. Fitness trends reported by the IHRSA reveal that over 50 million Americans are currently members of health clubs and year-on-year this figure has been increasing.