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Feb 14

The reason people exercise that has nothing to do with losing weight – MarketWatch

How to lose weight quickly Comments Off on The reason people exercise that has nothing to do with losing weight – MarketWatch

Leave weight loss to a proper diet people are mostly exercising because they want to avoid a host of illnesses.

More than half (64%) of people who exercise regularly said they do so to improve their overall health, and 45% said it was to prevent future health issues, according to an exercise trends survey by global research firm Mintel. Comparatively, 36% responded saying they exercised to lose weight. Good news, too countless studies, including one in medical peer-review journal BMC Public Health that says physical activity helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, show youre more likely to improve your health than quickly drop some pounds.

There is not one pill that will do everything exercise does, said Don Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program.

The list of illnesses a proper exercise regimen can prevent goes on and on, he said, including preventing diabetes, high blood pressure, cognitive impairments, cancers, fibromyalgia and even recovery from a broken hip caused by a fall or lack of balance. And, of course, it isnt just physical. People are starting to recognize those indirect benefits that are hard to capture on a FitBit FIT, +1.48% said Dana Macke, senior research analyst at Mintel including the mental and emotional ones.

Around 12-15 million people use wearable technology for health care - a market that includes Fitbit, Apple, Samsung and LG. MarketWatch spoke to Kate McCarthy, a health-care analyst that manages a rare disease using an Apple Watch and a service dog.

See: Heres everything people get wrong about exercise and eating

But not everyone finds the motivation to exercise, or they may even have expectations set too high. More than a third of Americans have already abandoned their workout New Years resolutions, even though they spend an average of $58 a month on gym memberships. Almost 80% of Mintel survey respondents said they had to exercise three times a week to see benefits, and a third said it isnt worthwhile to exercise for less than a half hour.

Regularly exercising can be as simple as doing healthier activities throughout the day, such as choosing stairs over the elevator or walking around the neighborhood, Hensrud said. For example, someone who wants to improve balance can practice standing on one leg and staying attentive to your posture; weight lifting will build a strong core and help with strength training. Even fidgeting can burn calories, a doctor said, after President Donald Trump told Dr. Oz hand gestures count as exercise.

See: 5 ways lifting weights helped me succeed at work

Three-quarters of adults consider themselves regular exercisers, according to Mintel, although a majority is not doing enough to get the health benefits, a 2014 government report found. Federal guidelines dictate 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week is the minimum people should do. But anyone can get started, no matter how old they are, Hensrud said. People have different challenges, and we may have limitations or joint issues, he said, but theres always something most people can do even with those limitations. Its never too late to start.

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The reason people exercise that has nothing to do with losing weight - MarketWatch

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