Although it is something I truly do not understand, it is clear that some people simply hate exercise. For that reason, they are always asking if there is a magic pill or potion that will help them lose weight.
It is both my personal and professional experience as a trainer that there is no magic, just hard work and discipline that will help you lose weight. I once weighed 340 pounds, but have kept my weight off for more than 10 years.
I burned off more calories than I took in to creating a calorie deficit to reach my goal. According to StraightHealth.com, “A calorie deficit is a state in which you are burning more calories than you eat.”
Dieting alone can help you lose weight but you may need to do more to achieve and keep optimum results. According to an article written by Shannon George for LiveStrong.com, “Weight loss without exercise can also have a positive impact on your health. However, for long-term weight management and health, it is important to exercise as well as eat healthy.”
Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic, says it is more of a chore to create a caloric deficit through working out than through eating less, but he says exercise should still be a factor.
“Cutting calories through dieting is generally more effective for weight loss. But doing both — cutting calories and exercising — can help give you the weight-loss edge. Exercise can help burn off even more calories than just dieting.” He goes on to say that exercise is a key factor for long term weight loss maintenance.
But still there are skeptics that feel exercise is not all that important. Louisiana State University Exercise Researcher, Eric Ravussin, told John Cloud writer for Time.com, "In general, for weight loss, exercise is pretty useless."
Ravussin is the chair of diabetes and metabolism at the university. Time.com reported that the increase in hunger could be the reason “that causes us to eat more, which in turn can negate the weight-loss benefits we just accrued. Exercise, in other words, isn't necessarily helping us lose weight. It may even be making it harder.”
But if dieting alone, one needs to be careful of the type of diet, said Hensrud. “If you lose weight by crash dieting or by drastically restricting yourself to 400 to 800 calories a day, you're more likely to regain weight quickly, often within six months after you stop dieting. “ He went on to say that exercise can also have the positive effect of keeping you from initially gaining weight.
Online References:
“Can I lose weight without exercise, through diet alone? - StraightHealth.com” Straight Health Web 21 Feb. 2012.
http://straighthealth.com/pages/qna/loseweightnoexercise.html
“Weight Loss Without Exercise – By Shannon George – LiveStrong.com.” LiveStrong Web 21 Feb. 2012.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/437330-weight-loss-without-exercises/
“Which is better for weight loss — cutting calories or increasing exercise? - Donald Hensrud, M.D. - MayoClinc.com” The Mayo Clinic Web 21 Feb. 2012.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/AN01619
“Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin - By John Cloud – Time.com.” Time Magazine Web 21 Feb. 2012.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914974,00.html
Joanne Sgro-Killworth is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training.
Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her husband, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith