article_ForYourHealthAddExerciseToDiet

FOR YOUR HEALTH: ADD EXERCISE TO DIET

For Your Health: Add Exercise to Diet
By: Cherish Hamutoff

If you want to improve your health while losing weight, add regular exercise to your calorie-restricted diet.
The one-two punch combination gives a better outcome (lower cholesterol and blood pressure) than dieting
alone, a study published in the January 2010 issue of the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal
concludes.

The six-month study divided 36 overweight participants into three groups:
Group 1: reduced calories by 25 percent
Group 2: reduced calories by 12.5 percent and increased exercise by 12.5 percent
Group 3: the control group maintained their diet.

Group 1 and 2 both lost approximately 10 percent of their total weight by the end of the study. However,
Group 2—those who added exercise—had greater health improvements.

The most noticeable differences were the improvements Group 2 had in blood pressure, insulin sensitivity
and cholesterol. Health professionals, such as Dr. Walt Thompson, kinesiology professor at Georgia State
University, are glad to have a study to back what they’ve known and preached for years; “Effective weight-
loss programs have to include diet and exercise” he agrees.

While most people start an exercise with good intentions, they find they quickly lose focus. To stay on track,
you must pinpoint your long-term goals, and divide the exercise plan into short-term goals. Finding a
wellness coach to aid in behavioral changes might increase the odds of sticking with a plan.

Finding time to exercise is often a challenge, but you can find time if you get up a little earlier, use part of
your lunch break or even sneak in exercise between television commercials (or pre-record shows to
completely skip the commercials and free up a chunk of time).