So now exercise isn’t going to help you lose weight.
Brilliant.
These were the headlines I woke up to a couple of weeks ago. Okay, it is true you can’t compensate for a horrendous diet with lots of exercise. A 15 minute blast on the cross trainer will not burn off a Big Mac. A healthy weight and lifestyle starts with a healthy diet. One of the girls I trained with, Louise, discusses some of the reasons for this on her blog which is really helpful.
What really annoyed me about these headlines was the sensationalism. For some people exercise is a real chore and it’s a internal battle to do any at all. Add in babies, work, exhaustion and a newspaper article blasting exercise as not the key to weight loss, is the perfect reason to sack it off. The stories really should have been written in a more balanced way, arguing both sides of the coin. Luckily plenty of health professionals have since had their say.
Exercise may not be the key to weight loss but it has so many other benefits that could help with weight loss in an indirect way.
Picture this. You have a really successful exercise session. You’ve sweated, you’re tired and you know you worked hard. You feel healthier so this may mean you ditch the sugary drinks for water and have a healthy meal when you get home.
Exercise is a fabulous mood booster and some feel should be used as a treatment for mild depression. Exercise classes are a good way to socialise and have some well-needed time to yourself. If you are happier, you are more motivated and in turn, this can boost your weight loss success.
Exercise wards off Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many other conditions, tones muscle, helps you sleep, strengthens your joints…the list is really endless.
So don’t let the headlines put you off. Diet has a massive part to play in a weight loss journey but don’t rule out exercise from the equation. It certainly has it’s role in the journey to a healthy lifestyle.