Some of you may have read the recent feature article in Time magazine that claimed that exercise, contrary to the research with which we’re all familiar, is not an effective health tool, particularly as it pertains to weight loss. Well, sadly the opinions stated in that article do not conform to the facts. Even though one of my colleagues, who is also an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) member like me, was quoted as an expert, in a recent communication from him, he stated that his research and opinions were “selectively reported.”

I want to use this opportunity to set the record straight and share with you the latest findings from scientific research in the field of exercise and fitness. I had planned on devoting August and September to the ACSM’s current “Exercise Is Medicine” campaign, so what a perfect opportunity the Time article presents to do so. Please email this blog to all of your friends and neighbors to dispel the myths that the Time article has the potential to create. When it comes to issues as important as our health, we need to be armed with the facts.

Exercise and Weight Management

• There is strong evidence from the majority of the scientific literature that physical activity is an important component of an effective weight loss program.
• Physical activity is one of the most important behavioral factors in weight maintenance and improving long-term weight loss outcomes. In fact, participation in an exercise program has proven to be the very best predictor of maintaining weight that was lost.
• Effective weight loss and maintenance depend on a simple equation called energy balance: Calories expended through physical activity and normal lifestyle functions must exceed calories consumed.
• It is a myth that exercise can actually prevent weight loss by leading exercisers to overeat. Research and common sense disprove this notion. Look around the gym or the jogging trail. If this were the case, wouldn’t those who regularly exercise be the fattest?

Other Benefits of Exercise

• Exercise and physical activity have been proven to help prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis, anxiety, depression, obesity and diabetes.
• Studies show that when students are more active (through physical education, classroom activity, play, etc.) they improve test scores and attendance and experience fewer discipline problems and sick days.

Policy and Economic Implications

• Physical activity and exercise are key components of workplace wellness programs, which have been shown to return $2.90 to $5.96 in cost savings for every dollar invested by the employer. Participants in workplace wellness programs have reduced absenteeism, error rates and health care costs; they feel more alert, have better rapport with co-workers, and enjoy their work more.
• Physical activity and exercise must play a vital role in health system reform. Cost savings from healthy lifestyles can help fund broader coverage for the underserved.
• Stimulus funds designated for electronic medical records should include fields to record each patient’s physical activity level. Exercise IS medicine and should be measured as a vital sign like blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
• Reimbursement for services such as healthy lifestyle counseling or clinical exercise physiologists could go a long way toward improving health and reducing health care costs.
• Physical activity needn’t involve expensive equipment, gym memberships or team athletics. Simple activities like walking, accumulated in 10-minute bouts, can have significant benefits.
• Communities can do much to encourage physical activity by developing bike paths and walking trails, encouraging walkable neighborhoods, opening school facilities to afterschool activities, and enacting other exercise-friendly policies.

Please stay tuned for more information over the coming weeks that will help you get started on moving forward in the physical fitness domain of your life. As usual, I invite your comments and responses.

Warmest Regards,

Coach Paul
www.lifechangingcoaching.com

“And if your home is just another place where you’re a stranger, and far away is just somewhere you’ve never been. I hope that you’ll remember, I am your friend.” – Rich Mullins

Life-Changing Coaching by Paul Edward is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivative Works 3.0 License. .
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at Ozmo

Tags: coach paul, exercise, fitness, health, life coaching, life-changing coaching, paul edward, Time magazine

  RSS