Frustrated that working out isn’t melting away those extra pounds? While exercise has been shown to help prevent weight gain, it may be less effective when it comes to weight loss. Our Healthy Skeptic explains why.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
THE CLAIM: Exercise helps control weight.
On the surface, this one seems like a no-brainer: exercise burns calories, and the more we burn, the more pounds we shed. Sounds simple. But as many of us have learned the hard way, the truth is far more complicated.
Studies do show that exercise can prevent weight gain. People who get regular physical activity tend to put on less weight over time than sedentary people, and those who exercise regularly after losing weight are more likely to keep it off.
That’s the good news. Now the not-so-good news: when it comes to actually losing weight, research shows all that effort at the gym may have little or no effect.
So how can this be?
Well, the kind of exercise most of us do, like going for a walk or taking a yoga class, doesn’t burn that many calories.
Making a dent in your weight can require vigorous daily activities such as fast-paced cycling or running, which is more than most of us are willing or able to do.
Another problem is that exercise leads some people to consume more calories because it increases their appetite or they feel entitled to eat those extra slices of pizza or scoops of ice cream.
While exercise may make a small contribution to weight loss, changing your diet is far more effective.
Still, this is not to say you should stay on the couch. Exercise is good for you in multiple ways. It can reduce the health risks associated with being overweight … and improve your appearance by increasing muscle mass. In short, it’s crucial to keep moving your body…whether or not it moves the needle on the scale.
For the truth about more fitness-related claims, check out my book, Fitter Faster. You’ll also learn how to slash your workout time and get even better results. Helping you be a Healthy Skeptic, I’m Robert Davis.