Move it: Study finds exercise important part of diet plan

“New year, new me” is a saying of plenty of people utter when making New Year’s resolutions. Losing troublesome weight is a common goal. New research published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism says that the most promising way of fulfilling your resolution is to follow a plan that requires exercise in addition to dieting.

Comparing weight loss plans that pressed the need for exercise and those that only recommended it, the study included 133 overweight women and paired them with some of the biggest names in weight loss. The Curves Complete 90-day Challenge, the only plan to include exercise and diet, was tested against Weight Watchers Points Plus, Jenny Craig At Home and Nutrisystem Advance Select.

"Jumping in with a better diet, aerobic and resistance training can be intimidating and overwhelming. Start with what you can manage, if that is all three—great; if not, pick the one you are most likely to stick with, get comfortable with that and then add another component," said Conrad Earnest, PhD. "You'll also benefit from the fact that adding exercise to a healthy diet or diet program improves health and sets the stage for weight maintenance later on."

Read the full study by clicking the link below: