Article on Yahoo/NY Times: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than...
Thanks for posting this article! I am a case study of how a regular, vigorous exercise habit did NOT lead to weight loss. For 20 years, I walked vigorously 4-6 hours/week. Did the heart rate monitor, etc. Then, about 10 years ago, done with pregnancies, I really upped my exercise. I did all of these, together: ran/walked (30min walk, 60 min run) for 4.5 hours a week, plus biked 3 hours/week, plus lifted 2-3 hours a week. Also kayaked about 2x/month, weather permitting. I maintained this level of fitness, with some variation, for a looooong time. I felt strong and vigorous, but I did not lose weight unless I watched my food intake very carefully. In fact, even eating what I thought was healthy, I was not losing unless I reduced my food aggressively.
Finally, trying to increase my intensity and length of exercise (like maybe there was a magic amount of MORE that would suddenly cause the weight to melt)...I sustained some bad injuries, which I have tried roaddress for many years, sometimes being able to be more active again, but finally now I have chronic mobility issues from injuries that have never healed. No longer being able to exercise, i started gaining more weight, and quickly. (So i do think the exercise helped me maintain at a set point, albeit a high one.).
Now, I miss doing the things I loved so much. I would give so much to go for a hike again, or to walk vigorously around the park for an hour, or to bike along a trail or up the canyon. So I would say, exercise for joy, and for the health benefits, but not for dramatic weight loss. Keep it real. Pushing yourself beyond a certain point can backfire in a big way.
