Bodies By M.E.

Exercise is a valuable to a weight loss program, however exercise alone leads to modest weight loss and at a slower rate to calorie restriction. The best results are achieved when exercise and diet are combined. Once we achieve our desired goal, how do we maintain our weight goal?

 

Exercise is important for weight loss maintenance. Maintaining our current weight is much harder than losing weight. If exercise is included dietary changes need not be so drastic. Here is the math- to lose one pound of fat a week a 500 calorie/day deficit must be achieved( 3,500 cal/one pound of fat), 500 cal x 7 days =3,500 cal. By adding enough exercise to burn 250 cal/day and eating 250 cal/day less, a weight loss program can be very manageable.

 

The journal Obesity recently published a study stating that high level of exercise is not needed to maintain weight loss. Exercising at a moderate intensity for one hour most days of the week is recommended for weight loss maintenance.

 

A recent study from the University of Alabama suggests that high levels of exercise may not be the only way to maintain weight loss. The researchers found that participants who maintained their weight loss consumed 384 calories less per day than those who regained their weight. How, weight loss maintainers ate low-energy food choices such as fresh fruit and vegetables than the regainers. Exercise remained the same among the losers and gainers.

 

The Bottom Line: Exercise is necessary to maintain weight loss, however less may be needed if a low-calorie diet is practiced.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 13th, 2008 at 6:02 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.