Interesting. I always lose more when I'm exercising, maybe not because of the exercise, but because I realize how much I need to work to burn off a certain amount of calories compared to how little time and effort it takes to eat them. When I don't exercise I tend to overeat, when I exercise I eat healthier.

Its like a car that looks good with a lousy motor, Excercise is going to help that heart and let you enjoy activities and longevity than anything else. What good is looking good if you can't enjoy the activities you are longing to enjoy.

Well, at the moment I'm not doing a heck of alot of "formal" exercise. I work in retail, so at work I'm pretty active 40 -50 hours a week. I mow my lawn (a hand mower not a power mower) twice a week. I get out and walk when I can plus my housework. Granted I'm probably not going to get 6 pack abs by any means:-) but I've lost almost 9 lbs in the last 3 weeks just by primarily eating better. I still believe exercise is important but I can see that diet is 70-80% of the battle.

Fitness magazine wrote a response to this article called "10 Reasons Why Exercise Makes You Thin (Or Why TIME Magazine Got It Wrong)" -- which brings up some interesting points.

http://features.fitnessmagazine.com/...esYouThin.html

What do you guys think of that response?

I didn't read all the posts so I don't know if I am repeating what someone else said but yes i agree that weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. That being said you can lose weight without exercising but you will lose fat and lean muscle. Exercise helps you retain muscle while losing weight.

In my own experience I once did a program Body for Life that included 3 days of 20 min aerobic exercise and 3 days of 45 min weight lifting. I lost about 11 lbs. in 12 weeks but tons of inches. My body definition changed dramatically even though I had only lost 11 lbs. I lost 2 dress sizes too.

HTH

very interesting

I think the article was intentionally sensational (because that's what "sells" articles these days). It primarily focused on common misconceptions regarding exercise, such as that weight loss can be achieved by exercise alone. If it's possible, very few people have achieved it, because increasing exercise also often means increased hunger, and if a person isn't aware of that they can become sumo-wrester style fat-but-(maybe relatively)fit.

I've seen it more in overweight men than overweight women, but the attitude that "I'll just work it off," is fairly common. Often, though, the calorie level the person plans on working off would require they climb a mountain or two every day.

I noticed this weekend that CNN had picked up the Time article and had it as a main story on their homepage.

Originally Posted by blueberry3:
Fitness magazine wrote a response to this article called "10 Reasons Why Exercise Makes You Thin (Or Why TIME Magazine Got It Wrong)" -- which brings up some interesting points.

http://features.fitnessmagazine.com/...esYouThin.html

What do you guys think of that response?

I think Time Mag was irresponsible with that article and agree with Mandalinn. Her title is much more suitable.

I really like Fitness magazines rebuttal.

All I know is exercise makes me feel better. I am less apt to emotionally eat and I don't want to X out the hour of exercise I did on any given day for one little cup-cake or muffin. Exercise makes me feel better mentally, thus handling stress better and it helps me make better, healthier decisions. I don't always "feel" like it, but once I drag my butt to the GYM or do something here at home, I always feel happy that I did do it. :)