Finally a study has shown what I’ve known for years, that on days I run, I naturally eat fewer calories. This study shows that it’s not just a matter of burning calories, that running actually effects your hormones that regulate your appetite.
We’ve known for years that after exercise the production of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger, increases. Working out therefore should make you want to eat a lot. However, this new study shows that women who ran ate fewer calories than they had burned. Hormones, recently discovered, are apparently signaling to the brain that the body is satiated.
Exercise increases the body’s ability to know just how many calories have been consumed and to adjust the satiety mechanisms. However, not all exercise is equal. Running seems to be better than walking in triggering these mechanisms. You also need to stick with a running program for several months to be able to truly calibrate the appetite control.
Spring is just around the corner, it’s a great time to start a running program. Remember, start easy and only increase your mileage for the week by 10%.
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