You should continue to exercise not only during weight loss, but also afterward. The yo-yo effect of dieting is a recurring obstacle to losing weight. Only 5% of people who attempt to lose weight manage to maintain it long-term. For many, unfortunately, the effort seems to have been in vain. However, you can protect yourself from the unhealthy effects of the yo-yo effect — by continuing to exercise.
The University of Missouri tested this with overweight men and women who had lost weight. Those who did not exercise and regained weight showed less favorable health indicators.
According to lead researcher Professor Tom Thomas, the key takeaway is that weight loss should not be the only focus: “Don’t worry too much about the number of kilos you lose — instead, focus on exercising regularly and maintaining your current weight.”
After all, the fat you burn through physical activity is replaced by muscle mass. Muscle tissue weighs more than fat tissue, so exercise also has a (beneficial) counter-effect on body weight.