A study from the University of Pittsburgh published in the July 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine finds that overweight and obese women need to to exercise 55 minutes per day, five days per week in order to sustain a 10 percent weight loss over two years.

Could recommendations like this trigger the “why bother” affect?

Although I am a huge proponent of regular exercise, I am very concerned that recommendations for 60 minutes of daily exercise overwhelm people that aren’t getting any. They may respond with “I can’t do that so why bother even trying.”

Based on my work with overweight and/or sedentary individuals over the last ten years, many already think of exercise as punishment for eating. I’ve found that rather than threatening them with failure if they don’t get enough exercise, they respond extremely well when the focus is on small, sustainable changes that allow them to adapt physically and mentally to a more active lifestyle.

What do you think? Do these recommendations motivate you…or trigger the “why bother” affect?

Michelle May MD
http://www.amihungry.com/