(www.BlackDoctor.org) -- When you’re on a mission to lose weight, slashing calories can help in the short term.  But new research shows adding physical activity to the mix is what peels away the most stubborn pounds (think belly fat) and keeps them off for good. Those who don’t exercise regularly (69 percent of women trying to lose weight don’t work out, according to the CDC) risk a rebound.

Dieting without exercise can’t zap the fat.
Exercise is just as important as diet if you want to lose belly fat. This isthe kind of fat that’s associated with metabolic syndrome, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes. Researchers found that obese women who dieted for five month without exercise had no changes in abdominal-fat cell size, while those who combined exercise with diet saw their fat cells shrink by about 17 percent. So a dieter who exercises often have smaller fat cells and a lower risk of heart disease.

Diet alone slows your metabolism.
While diet leads to short-term weight loss, studies show that, in most cases people regain weight. The reason is a slower metabolism. In a new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, people who cut 230 calories out of their daily diet for a year and didn’t exercise lost muscle mass, strength, and aerobic capacity. Exercise helps you maintain and increase your muscle mass and metabolism, allowing you to burn more fat.

Exercisers stay slimmer.
Active people have an easier time maintaining their results over time. In fact, exercise without a diet plan is more effective for managing weight. For optimum results  you should incorporate both a diet and an exercise plan into your lifestyle.

The bonus…
Don’t forget the other benefits of being active; more energy and better overall health. Make exercise a habit and you’ll find it easier to manage your weight for life.

BDO (www.BlackDoctor.org) is the World’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans.

By Candace Hall, BDO Staff Writer