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Diamond

One Poll

10 June 2010

MATE WEIGHT
Women are more likely to lose weight if they diet and exercise with a friend, it was revealed yesterday (Thur).
The average female will shed more than 10 pounds when she has girlfriends who are willing to eat healthily and train with her.
But a fifth of those who choose to go it alone don't drop a single pound.
The study of 3,000 women by female car insurance specialist, Diamond, also revealed 61 per cent find it almost impossible to summon up the enthusiasm to exercise alone.
Yesterday Sian Lewis, managing director of Diamond, said: ''It can be really hard to find the time, energy and enthusiasm for exercising when there's no-one to do it with.
''At the end of a long busy day at work, it would be so easy to slip into the arm chair for a few hours to relax, rather than go out for a jog or swim.
''But having a friend who is interested in keeping fit and toned can really help keep motivation - suddenly exercise isn't just about getting sweaty, and losing weight, it's about catching up on the latest gossip, and having a bit of quality time together.
''And the weight loss is an added bonus, the research shows those women who exercise with a friend have more luck at maintaining a healthy weight, even losing a few pounds in the process.''
The report also revealed two thirds of women enjoy going for a jog or taking a swim with a friend - and admit they push themselves harder if they have company.
More than half reckon exercising regularly with a friend improves the relationship between them.
Seven out of ten girls said exercise was less of a chore when they did it with friends, but  over half admitted talking non-stop during the work-out.
But the poll shows dieting and exercising with a friend isn't all about improving relationships - for some it's a fashion contest.
A third of girls always buy themselves a new exercise outfit to train with a friend for the first time.
And 21 per cent admitted comparing fitness fashion tips with mates at the gym.
More than a third of ladies always wear make up when exercising, and a fifth of girls apply more make up to exercise to try and cover up the red face and sweat.
One in five girls said they would refuse to exercise with a friend if they weren't wearing make-up while 29 per cent would avoid it if they didn't have a decent set of training clothes.
Sian Lewis added: ''Women wouldn't be women if they didn't pay some attention to their appearance before exercising with a friend.
''Girls like to look their best at all times, whether it's in the gym, in the pub or at work, and there's no reason why we can't combine a bit of fitness with a bit of glamour - who knows who you might bump into.''
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com