150 Minutes Each Week

How to win the battle of the bulge:

Be sure to get the recommended 150 minutes of exercise each week.

Dreading middle-aged weight gain? Don’t. You can lower your chances of plumping up as you get older by sticking with a consistent exercise program. Young adults who get active and stay active as they move into midlife gain significantly less weight than those who either don’t exercise or exercise inconsistently.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, tracked 3,554 men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 for 20 years. The researchers found that, compared with those who exercised infrequently, men who maintained high levels of activity gained almost six fewer pounds over 20 years, while highly active women gained 13.4 fewer pounds over the same time period.

To reduce your chances of weight gain, incorporate 30 minutes of daily exercise into your routine and maintain a high activity level.