Remember To Rein In Excess Eating While Exercising
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Reviewed October 2009
The days are longer and warmer making the desire and ability to engage in physical activity more appealing. That's the good news. Yet some research suggests that women, in particular, still have to be vigilant about their eating habits while exercising. Why?
Researchers found that premenopausal women who exercised intensely made up for the extra calories burned by eating more. Exercising vigorously seems to stimulate the body to want to eat. This may be in part due to the fact that women's bodies are designed to hold onto fat - possibly as protection for childbearing. Examples of intense activity include: walking very fast (4.5 mph) or jogging (5 mph) or biking (more than 10 mph).
Don't however use this research to abandon thoughts of staying physically active - even if you prefer to do vigorous types. Instead stay mindful of how you feed your appetite. Don't justify the strenuous workouts with excess calories. Instead focus on additional hydration as the body could really be clamoring for extra fluids (namely water) rather than calories.
In addition, this same aforementioned research also found that women engaging in lower intensity exercise did not eat more to offset what they burned off. Examples of lower intensity exercise include: brisk walking (3.5 mph), gardening and yard work (30 to 45 minutes), biking (less than 10 mph) and golfing (providing you walk the course and carry your clubs instead of riding a cart).
The most important consideration when it comes to exercise (and this applies to men as well) is keeping it consistent. Some ways to ensure it happens daily are:
- Choose an activity you like to do - that way you are more likely to do it.
- Enlist support - a workout companion, perhaps.
- Keep an exercise log - helps you to see when and what you did (or didn't do).
- Have an alternative available for inclement weather, if you can't be outdoors. Remember though there are umbrellas.
- Set up a consistent exercise appointment with yourself. Plan for the same time of day each and every day.
- Vary things - different activities or different walking routes.
The bottom line when it comes to managing your weight is that regular physical activity - whether it be moderate or vigorous - is best. This combined with healthy eating - namely reasonable portions and avoidance of calorie-laden items - affords you the best chance for shedding unwanted pounds.
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