This post by Canadian bariatric specialist Dr Arya Sharma talks about a study which indicates that exercise is about "calories in, calories out".
Dr Sharma says:
Quote:
...I tend to favour the hypothesis that the weight-loss effects of exercise have more to do with the metabolic changes that result from the exercise (e.g. changes in insulin resistance, cortisol, sympathetic activity, etc.) and, perhaps even more importantly, the impact that exercise can have on ingestive behaviour.
That rings true for me. When I first started working out, I felt very different - as though my body was operating more efficiently.
I read the entire post and I agree with it. When I am monitoring what I eat and am trying to eat quality food I find I feel physically much better than if I'm overeating and eating a lot of processed junk.
I think the proper term (or one I've seen people here use) is "eat clean". That is what I will strive for after Christmas Day. I have been eating a lot of treats and unhealthy snacks this week and I'm really suffering for it (sleep disruption mostly).
I get a great physical feeling from exercise - I feel lighter, healthier, more limber,it will make a headache go away, it can settle my stomach if it is mildly upset, gives me more energy, makes me stand up straighter, and on and on. I don't think for me though that it really makes a difference from a calorie burn standpoint. Either I don't burn as much as the calculators say or I am one of the people that the burn doesn't impact. I can exercise for two hours a day seven days a week and burn hundreds of calories every day, but I will swing up in weight if I go up 100 calories over maintenence level. I know some people, DH is one, who can exercise a little and see a big change, but for me it doesn't happen.
Now, I look much better from exercise - I'm shaplier, my muscles look better, I've reshaped myself and dropped sizes. So it does have a positive impact. But I don't know that it really impacts my weight mainetenance. Even when I can't exercise for some time I tend to hover around the same weight. Maybe if I couldn't exercise for an extended time I would see a bigger difference. But at this point exercise doesn't really make me lose - I can't do the whole 'cut some calories with food and some with exercise' thing. Mine have to be all food of it doesn't help.
Ruh-roh - I just saw that I accidentally posted this twice. The forum was acting up last night.
I meant I reposted it in another thread as a response to someone who wanted to try to track their "calories burned" each day. I think it's a really good study for many to read!
I'm sure the mods will take care of the double-thread post
Thus, I would not be surprised if the impact of exercise on mood and stress levels as well as the effects of exercise on self-esteem, improved sleep, and general well-being is in the end far more important for any weight loss associated with exercising than the actual amount of calories burnt.
Thus, I would predict that people in whom overeating is driven by stress, depression, poor self-esteem, or unrestorative sleep, will lose weight when they take up exercising - not because they are burning calories, but because they are eating less.
As a corollary, In people who are not overeating for any of the above reasons, exercise is far less likely to lead to weight loss - because it does not help them reduce their calorie intake.
Wow, that really rings true for me!!! I started my journey with running and remember how much better I felt after that. I then decided to start making changes in my eating habits too but I don't think I would have been able to do that the other way around because the exercise changed me mentally somehow too.
Thanks for sharing! I find it interesting how the author even points out that it might not be true for others. There are definitely those on 3FC who say they've been exercising for awhile without any weight loss. Not too surprising because I think most of us know here that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to weight loss. We all have our own personal demons and sometimes those guys can be drastically different.
I find exercise makes me feel different too and now that I'm challenging myself and wanting to get more fit I feel even better. I was an avid exerciser when I was at my starting weight for a number of years, but now that I've lost weight I feel like I'm able to challenge myself even more. Certain exercises are easier and I'm willing to do so much more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by runningfromfat
Thanks for sharing! I find it interesting how the author even points out that it might not be true for others. There are definitely those on 3FC who say they've been exercising for awhile without any weight loss. Not too surprising because I think most of us know here that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to weight loss. We all have our own personal demons and sometimes those guys can be drastically different.
Oooo yes, this was me. For many years actually. It got really frustrating after a while actually
Interesting study about exercise for maintenance
