Does exercise really help with weight loss?

Exercise is a huge part of weight loss. It helps u to increase your metabolism, which helps u to keep burning calories even when u are at rest. Exercising also helps u to gain more muscle, and the more muscle u have the more fat ur body can burn. Like I said exercise is HUGE for weight loss but ur right with the dieting...ur diet plays just as big of a role. The two definitely go hand in hand. Keep up the good work with both and u will be happy with the results!

Here are some research conclusions:

Exercise helps w/weight loss in the following ways:

*aerobic exercise can expend larger amounts of calories, helping maintain an energy balance.

*higher intensity aerobic exercise can result in a higher resting metabolism, but probably only during recovery time -- no permanent changes.

*I have seen mixed research on the effects of resistance training--there were a number of studies done 10-12 years ago that suggested that a combo of strength and cardio resulted in greater weight loss, even with no change in fat free mass (FFM)--greater than the equivalent amount of either cardio or strength performed alone. I have seen other studies that indicate no increase in resting metabolism, even with increases in FFM. I suspect that, in most cases, the effects of "increasing muscle mass" on weight loos are overstated.

*Exercise seems to help conserve fat free mass and offset the decrease in resting energy expenditure (REE) that accompanies significant weight loss. I was looking at studies today that suggested that the decrease in REE in exercisers was only 1/2 the decrease in those who lost weight via diet and exercise.

*Exercise has numerous health and psychological benefits, which contribute to overall health. I firmly believe that exercise also results in increased self-confidence and self-esteem which I think are extremely important to weight loss.

It is true that exercise alone does not seem to be very effective as a weight loss tool. Again, I think the consensus is that diet changes and control of energy intake are crucial parts of a program.

Personally, I don't see how one can effectively and permanently lose weight without exercise.

Part of the problem is that exercise recommendations tend to be all over the board. Among the national govt agencies and health advocacy groups, the recommended exercise standards tend to be too weak, IMO, for weight loss. I think the main reason is that these groups are focused almost exclusively on writing guidelines for the general population which is mostly sedentary. The concern is that if recommendations are perceived as being too much or too challenging, most people will not even try.

However, the flip side is that by setting the recommendations too low, you significantly decrease the success rate. I don't know the answer.

Also, many of the effects of exercise are often overstated, esp the potential increase in resting metabolism with exercise. The effects are also often inaccurately applied--the positive effects of a high-intensity workout or activity are also indiscriminately attributed to a lower-intensity or recreational activity, e.g. a 30 min walk vs a 30-min run, or an aerobic class w/5lb weights vs a HIT type strength workout.

What I can say is that I think that to effectively lose weight, you need to burn at least 2,000-2,500 calories per week with exercise. I also think frequency is important as well--5 times per week. The program needs to include cardio and strength training. If you are comfortable and physically able to work up to higher intensities (not all out, but not recreational either), I think you will see better results.



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Yes, exercise does really help with weight loss. Plus it's good for your heart.

I would also like to add that exercise lowers blood pressure, decreases the risk or heart attacks and strokes, strengthens and tones muscle, as well as aids in building bone mass. It makes your body stronger, so that your heart can pump blood more efficiently, so that your lungs can increase their oxygen intake and will build your overall feeling of health and wellbeing. If you follow a regular exercise program throughout your life, it will help prevent you from being one of those elderly wheelchair-bound patients you often see in a hospital or nursing home. Its the "use it or lose it" idea. As you get older, you will become less and less flexible and moving will become more difficult and you could become proverbial "dead weight" unless you keep yourself mobile and stretched out with regular exercise.

Remember - weight bearing exercise builds bone mass - women need to build bone mass as we get older to avoid osteoporosis.

True, my great aunt had some kind of bone density test done not too long ago, she has the spine of a 25 year old (she's almost 80). She also runs in the seniors 100m and 200m sprints, she's got a bunch of medals to prove it. I love my great aunt.

Ever seen The Biggest Loser? Those people aren't doing that by just cutting calories.

From my personal experience, I only lose weight if I exercise. Eating right alone just doesn't do it for me.

I completely agree with all the health benefits of exercise, but let's just talk about vanity for a minute.

Your weight loss goal is not just the number on your scale. You want to look toned and fit. The only way to do that is through resistance training. As we age, we lose muscle mass. So even if we weigh the same as we did in high school, we don't look the same.

Join the gym, and get inspired by the people you see there who are dedicated to fitness.

Exercise just makes me feel and look better....tones me up....scale slows down but I look smaller and better in my clothes. Plus, I FEEL so energetic and just overall feel so much better!!