Consistency In Exercise Timing Can Lead To Successful Weight Loss, Study Says

It is a well known fact that physically inactive people are prone to several health problems, including obesity. These health problems are the main cause of chronic illnesses, like heart diseases and type 2 diabetes. Still, many people across the globe find it hard to dedicate some time for exercise.

In order to solve this problem, experts in the fitness world came up with a concept called snacking on exercise. It helps a person to dedicate at least four minutes a day on physical activity and regularly maintain the timing.

For example, scouting while brushing and climbing stairs of an office building or an apartment instead of using the elevator can help an individual spend fixed timing on exercise and stay fit.

Consistency in work out timing is said to be the key to maintain weight loss and stay fit, according to a study by the researchers from The Miriam Hospital/Brown Alpert Medical School.

The research that was published in the Obesity journal earlier this month suggested that working out daily at the same time can be more beneficial than exercising at irregular time schedules.

“On average, those with high physical activity levels have a consistency with their routine, and that includes finding an optimal time to perform their daily routine,” lead researcher Dale Bond told Reuters.

“A good message for the general public is that the best time to exercise is when you can do it, and if you can do it with consistency, so much the better,” senior study author added.

For the study, the researchers analyzed the data of 375 people they collected from the National Weight Control Registry. The study participants had lost 30 pounds or more and were successful in maintaining it for at least a year.

The data for the study were collected through questionnaire method, in which the participants were asked about their work out habits, like timing, location and the type of physical activity they were involved in among other questions.

After analyzing the data, the researchers found that all the participants were involved in moderate to vigorous intensity activity for over two days a week. Around 68 percent of the participants followed consistent timings for exercise and about half of them preferred early mornings for physical activity.

The scientists also found that the participants with consistent work out timings exercised for nearly 350 minutes a week. But those who exercised at irregular timings spend only 285 minutes a week on physical activity.

“Looking at physical activity as something that’s regimented, like brushing your teeth, seems to resonate with people. Those who do it first thing in the morning get it done before life gets in the way,” Bond said.

Experts in the fitness field believe that snacking on exercise can help an individual in building a foundation chain to lead an active life. It is mainly because only four minutes a day for exercise sounds feasible for many people, New Zealand-based personal trainer and wellness specialist Lauren Parsons said.