beyond weight loss ; the benefits of physical activity

with the new year approaching (& possibly after overindulging this holiday season ) many have a goal of weight loss, and exercise is typically a big part of achieving said new years resolutions.

ie

“ i am gonna start running to lose 10lbs this year “

or

“ I am joining the gym so i can lose weight “

and while i love and fully support these actions, making weight loss the focus of starting to get or increasing the frequency / intensity of regular activity may not be the greatest idea if you want the habit to stick

don’t get me wrong - exercise is a fantastic way to increase your energy expenditure but if your only reason for getting intentional movement is to lose weight, you may end up disappointed.

the amount of energy burned with exercise is actually pretty minimal when compared to the amount of energy your body burns doing things like existing or digesting food or vacuuming the house. EAT or exercise activity thermogenesis, which is the calories burned when we are actively exercising, only accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of our total energy burned.... so yeah - just being at rest burns more calories than your gym sesh

… so why work out?

because there are lots of science-backed reasons for the benefits of being physically active. since healthy weight loss can be slow, finding other reasons to work out can help keep you motivated.

a few of my favorite benefits of exercise being

💉improved insulin sensitivity (better blood sugars!)

😴 better sleep quality

🩺lowered blood pressure

🏃improved circulation

🫀 improved heart health

😃 reduced stress levels & improved mood!

🤍increased confidence

so - get moving your body. shift the focus to appreciate what your body is capable of rather than seeing how much you can shrink it. if weight loss is the goal combine your movement with a healthy diet to see the best results.