Everyone knows that a healthy diet combined with moderate exercise is the cornerstone of any weight loss program.  There’s no magic pill or wand, no special food, and no particular body movement that will make the pounds melt away without effort.  Dieting without exercise is futile.  But what many people don’t realize is how crucial exercise is when people age 60 and above attempt to lose weight.

The University of Pittsburgh conducted a study on exercise efficiency with overweight and sedentary adults between the ages of 60 and 75.  They were broken into three groups: an exercise only group, a diet only group, and an exercise plus diet group. The goals were to determine which group would become more efficient at a particular exercise task at the end of four months, as well as if the body would burn calories from the fat stores or carbohydrate stores.  Because quick weight loss was not the focus, one cannot determine from this study which group lost weight the fastest.

At the end of the four months, it was clear that the diet only group made the least amount of progress.  Though they did lose weight and become more efficient at the exercise they chose, they also lost the most lean muscle mass out of any other group.  Both the exercise only and exercise plus diet groups burned the highest amount of fat, clearly showing that exercise is vital in helping seniors lose weight.

This study clearly shows the importance of exercise.  Many times people cut it out of their weight loss plan out of fear, but exercise allows the body to burn more fat and save the lean muscle that gets burned in older people from dieting alone.  There is no excuse not to exercise, no matter what age you are.  If hunger is a problem for you, check your motivations and find a natural appetite suppressant that works for you, like hoodia. Many times people eat out of boredom or a feeling of obligation.  Don’t let social pressure keep you from meeting your goals.