Monday, August 10, 2009

I Could Have Sat That One Out



This Time magazine cover made me want to sick out my tongue and say nana-nana-na-na to just about every one with their "well meaning" advice.



The article says that exercise does not bring about weight loss, but that exercise may cause people to actually eat more. The more physically active you are the hungrier you will get and the more you will eat. And it's not just about willpower. Whew, good to know it's not just me.




"From a weight-loss perspective, you would have been better off sitting on the sofa knitting. "

Ha! Maybe not entirely accurate, but I love that quote.



Now I'm not saying there's nothing to exercise for a health and toning perspective. As a matter of fact I just got Jillian Michaels' The Shred and I need to hop on it. But I'm under no illusions that it's what's going to get me losing weight. It's the whole mind, body, food connection that will work.



For weight loss it's all calories in vs. calories out. Not how much you kill yourself at the gym. Read the full Time article here. and chime in.



So, what do you think?


best,
Kwana

21 comments:

Formerly known as Frau said...

I'll take knitting over the gym any day!! For me to be successful in weight loss I have to cut calories and exercise not one or the other. I'm starting my journey of good health after my vacay!

Ina in Alaska said...

I thought that tennis would be a good fat burner. Not (I play doubles)! I too need to eat less and use the gym equipment more.... PS I was too lazy to read the article... Happy Monday Kwana!!

pve design said...

I read that article too, and the truth is, that more people are working out, but then justifying or rewarding said workout with a treat...so it really does have to do with consuming less in order to lose.
I think "everything in moderation" works best.
Cheers to sitting and knitting!
pve

Debra said...

My woman doctor says-after 45-you need to eat half as much and exercise twice as much... but it is-calories in-calories out. My dear friend who councels always asks when someone is battling weight- are you being truly responsible for everything you put in your mouth? So- it's all so individual I think.

Debra said...

Perhaps my friend the counselor should teach me to spell...

sula said...

calories in calories out. when i lost all my weight on WW, I'll be honest...I did not work out regularly. Just watched my food intake and tracked everything. I suppose I would have gotten more points to eat had I worked out like a fiend, but I'm lazy. So I made the system work for me. Anyways, 70 lbs gone and stayed gone tells me that the article is on to something. *g*

knitting ftw!

David Dust said...

I'm going to learn how to knit...

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Kristen Painter said...

I know for me the only thing that really works is eating less and moving more. And it's not just about seeing the numbers on the scale go down, it's also about feeling like I'm more fit - something that just doesn't happen without exercise.

I can't wait to see what you think of Jillian's video!

Carolyn Crane said...

You're so right that it's less in than out! My husband is a nutritional counselor, and he gets so frustrated that magazines sell by telling people what they want to hear: exercise doesn't work, chocolate is a health food, cheese makes your belly smaller, but when you really look at the data, it's usually a stretch. Like this article is. Yeah, if you pig out after exercising, then you may as well not bother!

But I bet this issue of Time sold like crazy!

Joyce said...

For me too is less calories more activity. I'm weaning off of meds that make me hungry and bloaty so serious work ahead. If I knew knitting was the answer I would for sure go this route. LOL... Enjoy! xoxo

Deidra said...

You and PVE have me knitting today! But I'm wearing my workout clothes. Does that count?

Amanda McCabe/Amanda Carmack/Laurel McKee said...

Aw, I was hoping this meant I could stop going to yoga and sit on the couch eating Cheetos and watching "True Blood" (my perfect life!). Darn. :)

Sherry Morris said...

A little sign on the back of the exam room door at my family doctor's office stated women need 275 minutes of cardio every week to maintain any weight loss over 10 pounds! That's 40 minutes 7 days a week. Not happening every day for the rest of my life. Sheesh!

I blame technology and the food industry for fattening us up. I wasn't fat until the 90's. Life is too easy for us now, we don't even get up to answer the phone or change channels. And portion sizes coupled with the sugar they added to make food low fat and tripling the portion sizes are just killing us.

I started a new diet/fitness program Friday. Initially, I'm reducing my portions and trying to eat nutriously, cutting most of the junk. And I'm not napping on the couch.

Anonymous said...

I think a healthy lifestyle requires eating good food in the right portions and getting regular exercise. I do all of these things... sometimes. Okay. Occasionally.

My copy of the 30 Day Shred arrived Friday. I sat down to watch it in its entirety. Just as soon as I get a portable defibrillator and a spotter, I'm good to go! :-D

Cheers,

Elen

On a limb with Claudia said...

Personally, I think it depends on what you want to look and feel like. If your goal is pounds lost, then don't eat - wire your mouth shut. If your goal is health and to look great - then it's got to be workouts + eating.

As for calories in, calories out? it's very controversial. Works for men, easy - but not for women, mostly due to hormones. Check out all the big programs - body for life, etc. They don't work as well for women.

PS. I love the 30 day shred- GREAT program, great woman. Plus, it's pretty easy. Go for it.

Louisa Edwards said...

Eat less fat, exercise more. It works every time. I definitely agree that exercise alone isn't enough--but neither is cutting calories alone enough for me. Plus, exercise has other benefits than weight loss, from better sleep to better moods!

modernemama said...

I don't know how new it is - a wise doctor told my mother the same thing almost 40 years ago. All I have to show for working out at the gym is worn out tendons and a depleted bank balance...
Thanks for dropping by Beach House!

Purple Flowers said...

For me, it's less calories, and more moving around that helps me, plus my "feel good" mood.

T.Allen said...

When I exercise I eat less-not because I'm less hungry but everything aches so badly that the thought of eating and having to exercise harder, longer or ever again literally sickens me.

Portion control for me is the only way to go. Enjoyable meals in smaller portions that way I don't feel like I'm missing out or about to keel.

December said...

I usually exercise for the stress relief. If I really want to burn calories, I lift weights. Too bad I'm lazy and skip weights most of the time.
30 day shred is awesome mixing the cardio and weights though!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I totally agree that exercise makes you more hungry. Totally! BUT...I exercise and it's not to lose weight. It gets your blood pumping and moving, and carries oxygen and all that good stuff through your body. I can tell when I'm not getting enough exercise -- I'm more tired, my skin and hair look awful (more awful :-) and I really feel a difference walking up stairs and things like that. Case in point: Little exercise in July and now I've got a cold. Wah! So I guess it's back to the gym and I'll just be hungry. :-)

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