Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of exercise for overall health, even if weight loss isn't achieved, and introduces the OMAD diet as a personal weight management strategy.

Abstract

The article, titled "Hey, It’s April, Are You Still Going to the Gym?" discusses the broader benefits of exercise beyond weight loss. It highlights that despite not reaching his optimum weight, the author has seen improvements in health by adhering to the One Meal a Day (OMAD) diet and encourages readers to continue exercising for its positive effects on nearly every cell in the body. The piece references expert opinions, including those from Arizona State University's Glenn Gaesser and the CDC, to underscore the health benefits of physical activity such as improved brain health, disease reduction, and enhanced ability to perform daily tasks. The author acknowledges the common pattern of New Year's resolutions fading by April but advocates for the continuation of exercise for its mental and physical health benefits, regardless of immediate weight changes.

Opinions

The author personally practices OMAD and has found it effective for weight management, losing weight from 148 to 141.5 pounds.
There is a societal trend of people starting gym routines in January and either continuing or quitting by April, which the author notes without judgment.
The article suggests that exercise should not be viewed solely as a means to lose weight; its primary benefit is improving overall health.
The author cites research indicating that exercise can reduce mortality risk by 15 to 60 percent, which is more significant than the reduction associated with weight loss alone.
Even small amounts of physical activity, such as a 'silly walk,' are beneficial for health, according to the article.
The author admits to occasionally rewarding themselves with high-calorie foods after workouts, which can negate the calorie deficit created by exercise.
The article concludes with a reminder that it's okay not to exercise or lose weight every day, but the importance of starting and being kind to oneself is emphasized.

Health & Fitness

Hey, It’s April, Are You Still Going to the Gym?

Exercise has its benefits, even if the weight doesn’t go away, experts say.

Photo by Julia Larson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/fit-ethnic-sportsman-demonstrating-abs-muscles-in-gym-6456017/

It’s April 10th, and I weighed myself. Let me take the dust off the weighing scale, and yey, I’m at 141.5 pounds. I’m 3 pounds away from my optimum weight.

To be honest, what is working for me right now is OMAD or One Meal a Day.

It wasn’t easy, but your body gets used to it. When I started OMAD I was at 148 pounds, and during the past year, I tried to lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks!

Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks. By the way, I don’t go to the gym.

Best shape of my life

By now, those who have been going to the gym at the start of the year either are still at the gym or have quit. We have all been there; the New Year always makes us want to be in the best shape of our lives.

Leave the judgment in the backdoor, let’s be kind to one another. Okurr!

From men who do a humble brag by showing their ‘dad-bods’ on social media, expect that by April, most of them are quiet.

Exercise to many is their way to lose weight, and when the weight doesn’t fall off, many feel they have failed. But don’t think that way.

According to experts, exercise has more benefits than a way to lose weight.

Guilty, here! We did a cardio workout for half an hour and we were so proud that we rewarded ourselves with a donut. The cardio workout burned 200–300 calories, and a donut would have added the same or even more calories.

So, don’t expect the weighing scale to give you lower numbers.

But Glenn Gaesser, a professor of exercise physiology at the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University in Phoenix has this to say in an interview with NBC.

“Research shows that exercise affects pretty much every cell in the body, not just our heart, not just our muscles, but it also affects all the other organs, as well,”

“Exercise is something that is vital for good health.” — Gaesser said.

And he isn't alone, The CDC on its website had this to say about the Benefits of Physical Activity

What the experts are saying is to exercise for your health. Even if you are overweight if you exercise you live longer.

Gaesser added that studies have shown that when you lose weight, your mortality risk goes down by 10 to 15 percent.

When you exercise the mortality risk goes down from 15 to 60 percent.

Exercise for good health

Photo by Cesar Galeão: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-dumbbell-3289711/

Many say that exercise has improved their mental health. Even sedentary people can take small steps; any form of exercise is good; even doing the ‘silly walk’ can give you benefits.

Conclusion

Every day is a new day. It is Ok if you didn’t lose a pound today. It is Ok if you don’t exercise today, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start today.

Take baby steps. Be kind to yourself. Rinse and Repeat.

That reminds me, even if I continue to lose weight, I need to start exercising again. Even if I get thin, I know my health will benefit from exercise.

Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer: I’m not a health professional. Everything you just read is my opinion and information available on the Internet. If you are starting a weight loss program it is best to consult your doctor. Thank you.

Source:

New science shows how exercise affects nearly every cell in the body

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