I’ve been in the health & fitness industry for nearly 35 years and I’ve seen a lot of people come and go throughout that time. Most of us looking to lose weight believe the best solution is exercise.
Unless you’ve been hibernating for the last decade or more, you’ve undoubtedly heard that the reason we’re all so over-weight is that we just don’t exercise enough.
You’ve also probably heard that the key to weight loss is through exercise.
So, you join a local gym, start an exercise program and “BAM” you have the magic recipe to become a slimmer, healthier YOU.
Well, I’ve got bad news for you!
First, most types of exercise don’t really even burn all that many calories. Certainly, nowhere near the number of calories those machines in the gym tell you you’re burning.
For example:
- A half-hour session of low-impact aerobics burns about of 200 calories.
- Walking at a brisk pace for a full hour burns around 350 calories.
Now, compare that to the number of calories you can scarf down in about five minutes like a Starbucks Mocha Latte at (360 calories), a Big Mac (560 calories), or an Egg McMuffin at (330 calories), it really doesn’t compare.
Second, exercise makes you hungry. In fact, vigorous muscle training exercise usually results in immediate demand for a large meal.
If we eat more on days that we exercise—which we generally do—that extra food can easily make up for whatever meager number of calories we’ve burned at the gym and then some.
This explains why numerous studies confirm that exercise is actually associated with a little bit of weight gain! Burn more calories and the odds are very good that we’ll consume more as well.
The point is, when it comes to losing weight, diet trumps exercise every time hence the saying—“You can’t out-train a bad diet.”
Now, does this mean you shouldn’t exercise? Absolutely not
There are millions of reasons to exercise, starting with heart health and extending to a reduction in the risk for diabetes, depression and other health related issues. Exercise can make you strong and it can make you feel good. YES, it can even stimulate the growth of new brain cells!
However, if you’re looking to those 30 minute, three times a week treadmill sessions to help shed those unsightly pounds, be prepared for a whole lot of disappointment.
Remember the rule – 80% nutrition – 20% exercise and it will save you a lot of discouragement.
