When it’s time for New Year’s resolutions, many of us put losing weight at the top of the list. New research suggests that our quest to shed those excess pounds may be much easier and less embarrassing than we think. Scientists claim that there’s no need to go all out and work up a sweat – gentler exercise works just as well. Demanding regimes provide no extra health benefits nor do they burn more fat for people trying to lose weight, a study found.  

Researchers at the University of Bath examined how long people should exercise for and with what intensity.  The main findings were

• Rigorous exercise provides no extra benefits for people trying to lose weight
• Gentler routines work just as well and help burn the same number of calories
• It also helps to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol by the same amount