For some things in life less is better: Taxes, commercials, Lifetime Original movies.

And yet for other things better is better. The most important two on that list: sex and working out.

One thing that I have found that holds true for all three categories is that every little bit counts.

A small study presented last month at the 2008 American Physiological Society Intersociety Meeting showed just that: That even one single bout of exercise can have beneficial effects on the metabolism.

They tested a small group of obese individuals and had them overeat at one meal (700 calories) and not exercise after.  Then at a separate time the researchers had the group consume the same meal and then perform exercise that would expend 700 calories (the same as the meal). The researchers then compared the metabolic response to both feeding sessions.

As expected, overeating revs up fat storage and encourages insulin resistance.  Noted nutritionist Jonny Bowden sums up insulin resistance very well:

So you can see why you would want to avoid and crush insulin resistance at every turn.

Now we knew that insulin resistance is lower in a weight training individual, but (here is the cool part) this is the first study to show that it only takes one bout of exercise to have a positive effect- decreasing insulin resistance as well as the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.  Yes, a single bout of exercise.

One of the members of the team that conducted the research, Andrea Crawford, goes on to state

Here is my new advice: exercise just once and you'll be fine the rest of your life. Uh, no- nice try.

But here is why I think that this is important for everyone, especially those considered obese.  This study, while small, gives evidence that exercising even ONE TIME improves metabolism and overall heath. ONE FREAKIN TIME!

Imagine what recurring bouts could accomplish.  It is never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle. It is never too late to start exercising. It is never too late to believe that you can accomplish your goals- even if (for now) they seem impossibly out of reach.

For those who think that you can't because you are too heavy, too old or too set in your ways, this study is the proof. It only takes once to make a difference.

Once.

Every little bit counts.