You Need Exercise, But Not for Weight Loss
By Genevieve Cunningham
We’ve been told all of our lives that we need to exercise. You need it to lose weight, we’ve been told. You need it to stay thin, we’ve accepted. But what if the things we’ve been told aren’t quite the whole truth? It’s true that we need exercise, but claiming that we need it for weight loss might be a stretch. If you want to know the truth about how much exercise you really need and why, take a look at this quick guide.
The Weight Loss Myth
The general consensus has always been that exercise is crucial for weight loss. The harsh truth is that it’s just not necessary. When it comes to losing weight, diet is king. In order to drop pounds, you have to consistently burn more calories than you consume. We burn calories all day long. We burn them when we sit, stand, walk, work, and play. In order to lose, use an online calculator to determine your normal daily caloric burn, and then eat at a deficit of that number. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not so much.
It Still Helps
Before you get too excited, it’s very important to note that exercise definitely helps the weight loss process along. The more you exercise, the more calories you burn, and the faster you can create a deficit that leads to weight loss. It also helps in that it builds muscle. And because muscle requires more energy to function, you’ll be burning more energy (and calories) even when you’re sitting still. Exercise will also help you gain strength and definition, which will ultimately help you avoid the skinny fat look as you lose.
This is Really Why You Need It
So if it’s not technically necessary for weight loss, why do we need it? As already mentioned, exercise helps build strength and stability in our bodies. But it does a lot more than that. Exercise also lowers the risk of major diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It helps us stabilize moods, lowers the risk of depression, and even enhances focus. There are a thousand reasons why we should exercise. Chances are good that you can find at least one that affects your health and life enough to make fitness a habit.
While we technically don’t have to exercise to lose weight, it’s obviously still a good idea. But maybe you can relax about it a little. Find something you like, and partake in that activity every day. Don’t stress over one missed workout or force yourself through something you hate. Gain a like for exercise, do it for the healthy benefits, and you’ll be living a healthier life for the rest of your life.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Porter Ranch, Calif.