Exercise and Weight Loss – The Connection

by Reagan Douglas

Whether exercise is needed to keep the weight off has been the subject of debate in recent years. This has stemmed from different studies worldwide that involved testing two groups of people–one group dieted while the other combined that with exercise– and whose results showed a similar decrease in the number of pounds. If only this aspect of the studies was taken into consideration, it would seem that exercise is not at all important in weight loss.

But that’s not the whole issue.

If one were to base everything solely from such eye-catching magazine titles as “Exercise Won’t Help You Lose Weight!” or “Shed Off the Pounds Without Working Out!” then everyone would be shunning away from gyms and following a diet that simply cuts back on calories.

But there’s more to weight loss than a simple shedding of the calories. And the missing link lies in exercise. Most of the results of these studies were unfortunately interpreted by certain quarters to suit their own interests. The articles written only focused on the same amount of weight loss immediately after the study. What happened afterwards to see whether participants continued to lose or gain weight, whether muscle was gained or whether health was improved in both circumstances-all these were not looked into in the articles that screamed exercise was unnecessary.

Studies, however, showed that exercise is important in winning the battle against too much fat. Results of the 2009 Public Library of Science study led by Dr. Timothy Church of Pennington Biomedical Research in Baton Rouge, Louisiana revealed that females who exercised regularly lost the same amount of fat when compared with those who did not, making him go to the conclusion that exercising needs to be combined with good eating habits in order for it to be effective.

Essentially, this research reinforces what science has proven long before– that a healthy and well-balanced diet and exercise are the two main components of a successful weight loss program. A workout regimen alone is not enough to burn off all the calories that have resulted from indiscriminate eating. You need to exercise and follow a healthy diet.

The role of exercise, however, is further underscored in a Swedish study that revealed that while exercise may not really be necessary in losing weight initially, it is important in keeping the weight off for the long-term. Thus, regular physical activity is crucial if you want to keep the weight off for life.

More than weight loss, the benefits of exercise also extend towards maintaining overall health and wellness. By working out regularly, you keep your heart and your lungs in good physical shape, increase your bone mass to stave off osteoporosis and prevent degenerative diseases from taking a toll on your body. You also tone your muscles for that perfect ripped and well-sculpted look. You feel good when you exercise because endorphins released work towards improving your focus and mental concentration.

So is exercise necessary for weight loss? Yes! It’s crucial to keeping the pounds– and all its related afflictions– away. It’s an important part in any fitness program since it maintains any weight lost achieved jumpstarted by mere dieting alone. More that weight loss, exercise is essential for health.

Lastly, be sure to look at our detailed P90X review and this post about the Brazil Butt Lift DVDs.

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