Have you ever asked yourself this question?
We just talked about “Why” in my last blog. Today, I'm following up that post with more focus on the main “Why” for the majority of us (and does exercise work for that “Why”?). 🤷🏼♀️ The majority of people who join one of my training programs do so to lose weight. Very few of us have not been on a diet in our lives and we all want to try the latest plan. If we were successful in keeping our weight off, then weight loss would not be a billion dollar industry in America. 😬
There are multiple ways to lose weight, and most of them work. Then there is the rest of the story, better known as the maintenance phase...
I remember studying Exercise Science in college and learning that exercise was a painfully slow way to lose weight, but that it was critical to weight maintenance. That was not what I wanted to hear 🤯, and I am guessing you may be the same. Many of those who begin training with me have unrealistic expectations of their 4-6 week journey. They want to work hard and have instant results. Those who can change their expectations and stick around a while are hugely satisfied and successful!
The research supports these results, with the current studies discovering even more proof of why our bodies respond well to fitness for life and not just for a few months.
Satiety (feeling satisfied and “full” after eating) hormones are high after diet-and-exercise-induced weight loss, and low after diet-only induced weight loss.
Resting metabolism increases with an increase in muscle tissue.
Exercise affects multiple hormones, on both a physiological and psychological level. Basically it’s easier physically and mentally (happy camper 😄) to maintain weight loss.
Here are the reasons exercise is vital for weight maintenance in less scientific terms:
Reduces stress
Wards off anxiety and feelings of depression
Boosts self-esteem
Improves sleep
Increases energy levels
Lowers blood pressure
Improves muscle tone and strength
Helps reduce body fat
So we all need to exercise; not only to lose weight, but to keep it off for LIFE! 🙌🏻 Find a fun and challenging group and get started today! And, if you need any recommendations, I know of a great bootcamp right here in Cedar Park! 😉