Fitness benefits you won’t see on the scale

Exercise may not be the very first thing involved in my New Hamptons Health Miracle. But it is something you have to do eventually if you want to stay healthy. Even if it doesn’t lead to more weight loss.

That’s one of the biggest hurdles some people face when it comes to exercise. They expect it to work like magic to whittle down their waist. But some people simply don’t lose much weight no matter how much they exercise. Obviously, it can be frustrating. And discouraging. I’ve had more than one person in this boat tell me that it made them quit exercising altogether. If this situation sounds familiar to you, I’m here to tell you-don’t give up!

In reality, the benefits of exercise don’t always show up on your bathroom scale. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

In fact, according to a recent study, you can make a major impact on your health by improving your fitness level. Even if you don’t lose a single pound in the process.

Researchers found that people who improved their fitness levels had up to 28 percent lower risk of high blood pressure. And as much as 52 percent lower risk of metabolic syndrome. Which is one of the main precursors to diabetes.

These changes in fitness led to consistent health improvements. Even though the subjects didn’t lose weight.

I want to be perfectly clear here. I am not advocating fitness over weight loss. And neither is this study. Subjects who gained weight during the follow-up period had a 26 percent higher risk of high blood pressure. And a whopping 71 percent higher risk of metabolic syndrome.

What this study proves is the same thing I always emphasize to my patients. And to you.

Weight loss and exercise are BOTH critical components to good health.

In fact, I believe exercise is so important that I recently had a gym installed in my practice here in Manhattan. And every new patient undergoes a fitness assessment as part of their initial appointment. Even if they don’t start a full exercise regimen right away, it’s important to get a sense of how fit they are. And what we need to do to improve things. Not just on the scale. (Though anyone following my New Hamptons Health Miracle WILL lose weight.) But every aspect of their health.

After all, that’s the ultimate goal.