Interesting article on why exercise alone isn't a weight loss elixir

[Anonymous]

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1914857-1,00.html

Interesting. I find that I eat healthier on the days I work out, or I work out more in the evening if I've eaten poorly that day. My husband however seems to be of the thought that since he worked out, he deserves a bowl of ice cream or something, which I think negates the workout and frankly he'd be better off not working out (which is what this article talks about).

"food" for thought

[Anonymous]

If you want to slim down permanently, the eating clean lifestyle will contribute 80%, while exercice will contribute 20% (check out Tosca Reno's book). It is all about less fat and sugar, more protein and fiber, and portion control. Healthy eating, in fact.

But watch out: for cardiac, bone and overall health, exercice is still vital. No junk food afterwards.

[Anonymous]

This article has gotten a lot of flack from public health experts. I have not given it a fair read but I think it is irresponsible to use a catchy headline just to sell more magazines in the middle of an obesity epidemic.

It has always been true that it takes about 2 minutes to eat 2,000 calories, while it would take hours of hard physical exertion to work that same amount of calories off. Very few people lead a life that they can eat whatever they want because they have time and energy to work it off.

However, physical activity is so important in it's own right, not just for weight control but for health. The human body was not "designed"/intended to sit around all day. People are meant to move and we work best when we are active. Not gym rats, just getting in some walking, maybe working up a sweat a few times a week. At the very least, not being completely sendenary.

Honestly, I think people would be better off to be active, and a bit overweight, then thin and sedentary.