It is. Let me explain why!
I recently went to see a friend and his family. When I was about to leave, his wife, who is always a soft-spoken and contented lady, asked me the same question that I put in the title. I picked up on the seriousness and urgency of her question right away. Her older son, about fifteen years old, weighs nearly 110 kilogrammes and appears to struggle to walk. “I believe it does! Ask him to accompany me on my upcoming birding trip on Saturday; I will be here to pick him up at 5.30 a.m. Let us give it a try “. I replied with a nervous smile.
Is it true that bird watching can aid in weight loss? I wasn’t sure. I decided to reach out to some of my birding buddies, who also happened to be doctors. They were all in agreement that because birding is an outdoor physical activity, it will undoubtedly provide participants with some level of physical and mental benefits. Birding, on the other hand, is much more than just a physical activity. It is a hobby that will allow you to cross many items off your to-do list for weight loss. Please bear with me as I explain.
You walk and sweat a lot.
On a typical day of birding, I walk around 5 kilometres, looking for birds and good spots to photograph these avian beauties. Most birders don’t realise how much time has passed since we arrived at the field or how far we’ve walked while we’re preoccupied with listening to bird calls and darting in their direction. The bird may have flown for a short distance just out of camera range, but it is still in our sights. Then comes the game of catching up. You’ve already burned a lot of calories by the time we get the bird or the bird ditches you.
You may find yourself sweating and thirsty after each chase. You would then take your water bottle from your backpack and take a few sips. That’s wonderful!
You drink plenty of water.
It has been proven that drinking water regularly keeps your body hydrated, improves digestion, and speeds up fat-burning. We sweat a lot as birders and drink water whenever we get thirsty. Most of us, I’ve noticed, reach for a water bottle when we’re “ditched’ by a bird or when we’re patiently waiting for a bird to appear in front of us from the bushes. It seems to be out of habit rather than necessity. Many birders do the same when they briefly stop to consult their bird book or mobile app to confirm the identity of a bird they have just seen.
In the field, birders typically eat a light lunch, usually a sandwich from home or a few simple fruits purchased from a nearby grocery store. A light meal is lower in calories. So far, so good!
You get a lot of vitamin D.
Many scientific studies have revealed that people who are obese or have difficulty losing weight have low levels of Vitamin D. Scientists now believe that having a higher vitamin D in your body can help you with weight loss plans.
Bird watching entails spending time in the sun, particularly in the morning and evening light. This is because the sun’s rays help the body accumulate Vitamin D during these golden hours.
You sleep very well.
Pleasant tiredness from walking and chasing targets all day, positive energy gained from being exposed to nature, light meal, company of good friends, and so on will prepare you for a good night’s sleep. It has been scientifically proven that getting enough sleep is a decisive factor in accelerating weight loss. A good night’s sleep improves brain functions, agility, and the body’s immunity.
Conclusion
I am convinced that going birdwatching regularly can help you lose the excess body weight not caused by genetic or racial factors or certain medications. Moreover, while birding helps with weight loss, the newly acquired hobby can instil new levels of energy and mental acuity, which can be a real blessing for themselves and those in their circle of friends, coworkers, and relatives.
