Diet and exercise go hand-in-hand on the road to weight loss; but exercise is especially important for keeping weight off long-term. The National Weight Control Registry, a database of people who have lost at least 30 pounds and have kept it off for one or more years, is overwhelmingly made up of exercisers. People in the registry burn an average of 2,800 calories a week through exercise; those who regained weight were more likely to have lapsed on their exercise routines than those who kept it off.
Regular physical activity changes the way your body stores — and possibly burns — fat, reduces blood pressure and inflammation, and helps keep your blood sugar under control. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (like brisk walking) five days a week.
