It has been understood for a long time that effective weight loss is achieved through healthy eating and some form of physical activity.
For many eating the right foods is manageable but keeping active: going to the gym can be a struggle.
Research suggests that listening to music while working out can make the experience more enjoyable, which leads to a better workout with more intensity than without any music.
Dr Nicholas Fuller an obesity expert from the University of Sydney, Australia said, “When we add in some exercise we are only getting to the actual recommended level for general heart health population guidelines. To add to the frustration, we often start activities we don’t even enjoy or won’t stick to long-term, for example, going to the gym, or starting with a personal trainer.
“So, in frustration we quit, waste our money, and go back to our old ways, as it is all too hard and not fun.”
The secret weapon according to Dr Fuller is a pair of headphones and listening to music of your choice.
He said: “Research has shown that listening to music may improve your enjoyment and intensity while working out, which means you are more likely to shift those kilos for summer.
“Headphones prevent us from getting distracted and talking to our gym buddy or friends at the park.”
It should also be noted that the benefit of exercising could be lost if the wrong foods are eaten after a workout. Things like protein bars and shakes are best consumed after a workout, not before, to support muscle growth. Having them before a workout could lead to digestive problems as protein is digested slowly.
Other foods that should be avoided before a workout is spicy foods as this can lead to heartburn or indigestion.
