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Adding Exercise to Your Weight-Loss Program May Offer Psychological Boost

People who are trying to lose weight who begin exercising may benefit psychologically and experience less hunger, say researchers from Stanford University in a recent issue of Obesity Research.

For this study, 264 men and women were divided into three groups: those who used diet only to control weight, those who used diet and exercise to control weight and a comparison group that did not diet or exercise. Before the study began and one year later, men and women were asked about psychological feelings associated with weight control, such as hunger and restraint, as well as whether they experienced feelings of psychological distress, such as symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress.

Men and women in both weight-loss programs reported feeling greater restraint and less hunger at one year than those in the comparison group. Men in the diet and exercise program experienced additional increases in restraint and decreases in hunger than did men in the diet-only program. Although women who used diet and exercise to lose weight experienced increases in aerobic capacity, they did not experience additional psychological benefits such as decreases in hunger and increases in personal restraint.

Using diet and exercise to lose weight has been shown to accelerate weight loss; this study indicates that it may decrease your perception of hunger and increase restraint as well. Don't hesitate to add aerobic exercise and strength training to your weight-loss program.

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