FITNESS: DOES EXERCISE MATTER?
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Throughout my life I have always maintained some type of physical activity until I became an adult. Life got in the way and my time for exercise diminished. I would go on health kicks where I would eat healthy and work out. This usually resulted in going to the gym hard core for several months and feeling great. However, one day off turned into one week and then weeks into months with no return trip to the gym.
Most people that I encounter have gone through this same experience. They go to the gym for a few months and then just fall off. This type of behavior often goes on for a lifetime and people get frustrated. What is the point? Why am I not seeing results? I have no time for this. In our culture there is such a strong emphasis on working out as the first means of losing weight and I began to wonder is this really true?
My answer is NO. In my experience, exercise alone will not get most people who have significant weight to lose (20lbs or more) to their goal. I will even venture to say that exercise to people just starting out with no fitness background often hinders weight loss. Now let me explain. Weight has to do solely with what you eat, so if you eat less you lose. Its really simple math. Reducing your calorie intake and eating nutrient rich foods (foods closer to their natural state) will yield weight loss results. Point. Blank. Period.
Its purely psychological why exercise hinders people just starting out with no fitness background. What happens is we go to the gym and have no clue what to do so we either don't do enough or do too much. The “not doing enough” crowd will usually reward themselves by eating and cancel out the the workout they just did. The “doing too much” crowd will be exhausted after a few weeks and give up all together. Do you see the dilemma? I have been on both sides.
So does exercise really matter? Yes, but not for the reasons that you may think. If your sole reason for exercising is to lose weight then you are going to be disappointed. Last year I when I first became a triathlete (and still had 30lbs to drop) I though I would be super thin and trim when it was over and I wasn't. Mind you, I was biking almost 200 miles a week and running close to 30 and I only lost 3 lbs. This is not to say “don't exercise” because the benefits of exercise are manifold. Working out helps you stay fit, boost your metabolism, makes your heart stronger, increases self esteem, sculpts your body, helps with digestion and just overall good health. I love to stay active and it is one of the reasons I have maintained my weight and when I do eat poorly my body doesn't pack on the pounds. However, the benefits of exercise were not made clear till after I changed my diet and lost the weight.
So before you make that call to order p90x or zumba THINK. What are your goals? If you have 20lbs or more to lose maybe you should rethink your plan of attack and concentrate on your diet. If your ONLY strategy for losing weight is exercise then you will be disappointed.
What do you think? Do you think exercise is overrated? Why do you exercise? Share your thoughts.
Reader Comments (5)
Exercise is definitely not overrated. Not only does it keep you fit and physically healthy, but it also releases endorphines that keep you happy and less likely to become depressed. I don't exercise as regularly as I should at present (started making a valiant effort to change that though) but I do recognize its importance and do eventually 'get to it.' I find that when I exercise, I feel loads better, even if there's no noticeable change in my body, my disposition is loads better. I feel more confident when I'm exercising.
This was eye opening for me. I have an excellent work out regimen; so much so, that my friends say I am a beast in the gym, but I am not seeing it on the scale. It is definitely my diet and I know it. I live in the house with two men, my son and husband, who love dinner, snacks and the whole soul food menu. It is hard to not eat when you cook. But, I am also a big snacker. I have been praying that I be delievered from all of this sinceless eating. I eat all the time, for no reason most times. I try to have will power but it is just like I cannot control it. It is like an addiction almost. I have to get it under control. Like I said, I have the workout on point. I like to do kickboxing, then right after Zumba; then the next day, strength training and cycling/spinning; next day elliptical and dance, next day back to strength and cycling, etc. but the diet is out of control. I am not making head way because of my eating habits. I will continue to change. Thank you for your thoughts, they have been extremely helpful to me. I will continue to read your blog, you are definitely an inspiration. By the way, my husband and son are both fit, it is just me that needs to find my way. :(
Thanks for sharing such useful information. The information provided is very very niche and this information is not available so easily. Therefore I thank the writer for the useful input.
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Exercise does matter. With exercise and healthy eating, i lost 72 pounds last year. I doubt if i would have lost that much weight if i did not incorporate exercise. As an aspiring health educator and working on my master's currently in health education, majority of health related researches to healthy living mentions the need of physical activity and healthy nutrition in one's life. Participating in the recommended duration of physical activity (30 minutes or more) by CDC per day does not only make you feel good; it decreases an individual's chance of developing chronic diseases and other forms of illnesses. My motto is exercise smart ; meaning yo do not have to spend hours at the gym to achieve a healthy weight loss goal. As long as an individual incorporates any form of physical activity which brings them happiness and eats healthy, he or she is one step closer to achieving a healthy lifestyle.
By the way, i love your website. You definitely have opened my eyes to a new world of exploring natural grown foods and i do love to explore as well as cook. Thanks!
Great Post !!!!!!
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