In the battle against the bulge, heading to the gym may not turn out the way people hope it will.
In the battle against the bulge, heading to the gym may not turn out the way people hope it will.
A new study confirmed previous findings that exercising can actually result in packing on pounds rather than getting rid of them.
It also provided some insights into the unfair phenomenon.
Researchers invited over 81 overweight and sedentary women to participate in an exercise regimen considered to be challenging, yet doable.
Before getting started on the 12-week plan they had their fitness levels, weight, and BMI checked and were instructed to continue to eat as they normally do.
By the study’s end almost 70% of them had put on weight, some as many as 10 pounds, and the gain wasn’t the result of increased muscle mass.
As food intake wasn’t tracked, it’s unclear if it’s related to the increase, but the researchers did find a kernel of valuable information.
Women who took off pounds in the first four weeks continued to do so. Those who hadn’t lost during that time didn’t in the following months either.
The study’s lead author recommends a one-month weigh-in and says that if the scale reading hasn’t moved downward by then, a change in eating and movement habits may prove beneficial.
