Working out is ideal for those interested in building muscle, increasing strength and improving your level of conditioning. But, if you aren't willing to cut calories, a study published in Obesity Reviews suggests exercise alone rarely results in weight loss.
The study notes a couple of key reasons for this unfortunate fact. For one thing, the caloric deficit created by exercise can't match the effect of cutting calories out of your daily eating plan. Also, regular exercise decreases resting metabolism by about 7%, making it that much harder to lose weight.
There's some good news here for those looking to drop a few pounds: Exercise can play a key role in weight maintenance after you've dieted down to your ideal shape. As it turns out, successful weight loss is equal parts diet and exercise.
