Losing weight can be a real pain just thinking about it, but in fact, a recent study found that it only takes one hour of exercise a day to maintain a steady weight loss and keep those unwanted extra pounds off. In fact, as over half the adult population in the U.S. faces weight problems, just sixty minutes a day seem like an easy mission.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburg studied 201 overweight or obese women over a period of two years, as they tried to lose 10 percent of their body weight. The study concluded that the most logical and healthy combination in the world, exercise and diet, can help overweight women accomplish their goal and maintain the desired body weight.

As part of the study, the women had their diets limited to 1,200 – 1,500 calories a day, and were assigned to four groups of study, depending on the weekly physical activities. Within six months, the women in all groups had lost an average of 8 to 10 percent, but by the end of the two year period, the average weight loss was of only 5 percent for all groups.

However, almost a quarter of the women in the study, belonging to no group in particular, managed to lose 10 percent of their body weight and maintain that, simply by keeping a healthy died and by exercising 275 minutes per week.

Researchers also found these women to be much more determined to reach their goal, as they were willing to engage in more strict dietary habits and were more likely to call the intervention team.

This suggests that it only takes determination and one hour per day to regain the body shape women want, and better yet, by maintaining a certain level of physical activity, significant weight loss can most certainly be achieved.