Exercise Is Not As Effective For Weight Loss As You Think

You Should Know: Move more, eat less. That’s the traditional — and highly oversimplified — view of weight loss. Turns out, the “move more” part may not be as effective as everyone thinks. In many studies, exercise alone (no dietary or other interventions) results in minimal weight loss. 

Going Deeper: New research in Current Biology suggests the body may “compensate” for calories burned during workouts. In other words, if you burn more calories through exercise, your body finds a way to preserve energy elsewhere. This is especially true for aerobic exercise, like running and cycling. Weight training appears to be an exception, which is likely due to the fact that lifting weights helps you build muscle, a very metabolically active tissue. 

Takeaway: Experts agree that the benefits of exercise extend far beyond weight loss. It’s essential for long-term health — helping to boost focus, elevate mood, improve sleep, and lower the risk of many chronic diseases.

Bottom Line: This news may be a bummer to those trying to achieve a calorie deficit, but it doesn’t mean exercise is a lost cause — far from it.