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A recent study from Northwestern University was released on December 15 finding people will gain significantly less weight by middle age, especially women, if they engage in moderate to vigorous activity nearly every day of the week.
The information stems from looking at the results of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a multi-center, longitudinal and population-based observational study designed to describe the development of risk factors for coronary heart disease in young black and white adults. The study participants consisted of 1,800 women and nearly 1,700 men.
The finding noted, highly active women gain less than highly active men over 20 years. Women seemed to benefit from high activity over 20 years, gaining an average of 13 pounds less than those with low activity; while men with high activity gained about 6 pounds less than their low-activity peers.
High activity included recreational exercise such as basketball, running, brisk walking or an exercise class or daily activities such as housework or construction work. This means you can get exercise in just about any daily activity if you try.
People often say they dont have time to be active and exercise. Yet still average over 20 hours of TV watching per week. We need to learn what is important, and what is not. And if we are not willing to give up TV, or movies, or shopping, or whatever our excuse is, then maybe we will have to give up our health in the future.
I weighed 130 11 years ago. I weigh 130 now. I have had two children in the meantime, and sought to manage weight for healths sake, through a combination of strength exercises, aerobics, and yoga. I never understood the phrase "Make time." What I do understand is that if I watch less TV, or eat lunch faster, I can have more time. And I like that.
Wow, great stats you have. It shows that keeping active keeps you fit and at a healthy weight. Good for you. Everyone should do what you have done.
With family, work, commuting, shopping, cleaning, and a few hours of sleep….who has time for all this "vigorous" exercise? Most people are just exhausted and dont have time or energy to do much more than the tasks of life. The system is designed to keep it that way. Work and consume.
I am not Andrea but Ill give you my two cents.
Try dancing. Its fun and it burns calories.
You dont need any dance DVS. Just put on some lively music and dance.
I like the Hooked on Classics CDs. Cajun is fun to dance to too.
No partner? Dance alone or with your dog, or cat if they are willing! LOL
When I was 18 I weighed 105 pounds.
At age 20 I gave birth.
I gained alot of weight during my pregnancy and soon after started excersising.
I have continued to excersise and at age 63 I am 106 pounds.
I doubt very much that causation was established in this study. Were the people gaining less weight BECAUSE they exercise, or were they likely to exercise more because they had not gained weight? The best research shows that people move less and eat more because theyre gaining weight, not the other way around. Without seeing the ways in which the study controlled for this possibility I can only assume its yet another study that shows a correlation between physical activity and weight levels. But we already knew about that correlation.
activity helps maintain muscle mass, which burns calories. but activity doesnt help someone lose weight if its not combined with proper nutrition. as we age, we need fewer calories. if and activity level and calories in stay the same, then youre still going to gain weight over the years. since its unlikely that a person will increase their activity level with age, calories MUST be reduced (with nutrition intact) over time, even if activity level is the same.
instead of trying work off calories, reassess what youre eating and drinking. it will greatly enhance any exercise program you are on.
Hi Andrea,
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Interesting study – but I think men still tend to lose weight faster than women (once they start working out and eating right) generally speaking (probably due to their body mass & metabolism). Either way, once working out becomes a habit and something you like, it isnt hard to keep up for 20 years (thats how long Ive been teaching fitness for, so that is a first-hand account) LOL!
Hi Jeanette, its NEVER too late! Research proves time and time again that you can build muscle and increase lean body mass at any age – until you die. I have an 80 year old man in my Spinning class who had to lose weight after a heart attack — good motivator — and he lost almost 40 pounds
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Plenty! Start small and gentle, like maybe even just 5 to 10 minutes of bouncing on a mini trampoline, very low impact and enjoyable in front of the TV or within earshot of the Radio. Add a little week to week till youre bouncing 30 minutes a day. Then maybe 3 days a week in addition to rebounding, you could work with a kettle bell or dumbbells and a chair: again gently and slowly building on your successes until youre swinging a 20 lb. kettlebell happily and amazing your more sedentary friends. Youre NEVER too old to begin to get young again!
Get 3 lb weights and pump iron while you watch TV.
Lovely and most likely factual! Okay, Im a guy not a gal but heres what happened to me after a lifetime of reasonably active days: I retired and stopped smoking! Bam! 40 pounds! Yes, Ive worked off 10 of them but . . .
Get a cane or a walker and make do…
Andrea, this is all great for younger women. What do grandmothers do after its too late?