(Those categorizations rely on thebody mass index system.
Manyleading causes of death, includingheart disease, are tied to an individual’s weight.
And then there you are back at square one.
Photo: Getty Images / Tatsiana Volkava
“The weight-loss message is not, and has not been, working,” Gaesser toldWebMDin December.
“The health benefits of exercise and diet are largely independent of weight loss.”
It also decreases the risk of heart disease by as much as 40%.
Hopping from the least-fit to most-fit category can slash mortality risk by 30 to 60%, researchers say.
But, the benefits only stick around as long as the fitness routine stays in place.
“Adherence to exercise is just as challenging as adherence to diets.
It’s a constant battle for reasons in and out of our control.
It can also increase appetite.
Being aware of the gap between anticipated and actual weight loss is important, according to Gaesser.
Staring down at a scale can be discouraging.
Eliminating that from a fitness routine may help those tempted to throw in the towel.
