The Zoomer Report: Exercise break

Have you ever been tempted to take a little break from your exercise routine? Well, here’s an unsettling fact that may help you stick with it — or at least cut back instead of quitting.

Light exercisers who quit cold turkey for a bit — rather than just scaling back — have a much harder time dropping the weight they gain during the break.

If you lighten up on exercise and you may gain a bit. But do nothing, or close to it, and things get much worse. When exercisers in a recent study slacked off, they gained exponentially more weight the closer they got to zero exercise. And here’s the kicker: The research also suggested that a prolonged hiatus produces weight gain that can’t be reversed by simply going back to your old routine. You have to do more. Yikes. So even if it feels strange to do less — like walking 1 mile instead of 3 or 4 — remind yourself that it’s infinitely better than doing nothing.

Consider why you want to throw in the towel. If you’re bored, mix it up with dancing, swimming, biking, leaf raking, and a new exercise class or two. Remember, the best exercise is the one that gets you up off the couch.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ Arne Trautmann

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About The Zoomer Report

Libby Znaimer, a prominent Canadian journalist specializing in business, politics, and lifestyle issues, is producer and host of The Zoomer Report, a special feature on topics of interest to baby boomers and the 50+. It covers everything from health and wealth to leisure and volunteerism, from the special vantage point of the generation that has changed society in its wake.

Ms. Znaimer is also Vice-President of News and Information for Classical 96.3FM and AM740. Her first book, “In Cancerland – Living Well Is The Best Revenge” – was published in October 2007 by Key Porter.

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