Many successful dieters are familiar with these findings, however some studies have been done to further support the importance of exercise and support systems while trying to lose weight.
Currently 2/3 of the people in the US are overweight, which is about 30 pounds over a healthy weight. This extra weight puts people at risk for diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
One study that was done, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine recruited 130 obese people, average weight of 264 pounds.
These participants were split into two groups, one which received diet help and exercise guidance for a year. The other group had the ssme diet plan, however only started their exercise 6 months into their diet.
At six months into their program, people in the diet-and-exercise group lost an average of 24 pounds, while those in the delayed-exercise group, who lost an average of 18 pounds.
After a year, people in the diet-and-exercise group lost 27 pounds compared to 22 pounds in the delayed-exercise group.
This showed that traditional diet and exercise plans, as long as they are done together, can work for people even if they are extremely obese.
Cheryl Rock, a professor at the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego said, ├óΓé¼┼ôIf people are motivated and you help them and give them strategies and support, they can lose weight and keep it off.”
We all just need a little bit of encouragement!
[Image via AP Images.]
