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Why Exercise May Not Erase That Gut

Rigorous exercise can make you eat more, and diet affects weight more than exercise

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 6, 2009 2:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – Despite forcing himself to do a rigorous amount of aerobic exercise, John Cloud hasn't budged from 163 pounds—with gut fat. Shouldn’t all that exercise change something? Not necessarily, he writes for Time. Science has shown that exercise has much less effect than diet on overall weight. The problem, he writes, is that exercise prompts you to eat more.

The scenario for zero-sum weight change goes like this: A human being sits in front of a computer all day, then goes to the gym for 45 minutes of intense exercise. But that bout of activity increases hunger and weakens self-control, increasing the likelihood of snacking on some fries afterward—fries they probably wouldn’t have craved without the exercise. The eating induced by exercise often cancels out, weight-wise, what exercise achieved. The lesson? Weight-watchers should try to be more consistently active throughout their day, and pay attention to diet.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

A McDonald's restaurant sign is illuminated in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago, Monday, April 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

This undated file photo shows a large order of McDonald's french fries. (AP Photo/Rich Kareckas,File)

NEW YORK - MAY 15: An overweight man walks past a Times Square storefront May 15, 2003 in New York City. According to a new study, the U.S. spends upwards of $93 billion annually to treat health problems... (Getty Images)

A woman lifts dumbells during a workout at Warrior Fitness Boot Camp gym March 17, 2009 in the Midtown neighborhood of New York City. (Getty Images)

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In short, it's what you eat, not how hard you try to work it off, that matters more in losing weight. You should exercise to improve your health, but be warned: fiery spurts of vigorous exercise could lead to weight gain. - John Cloud

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 21 comments

peacenique

Aug 8, 2009 2:31 AM CDT

WHEW, I agree with you completely. I'm quite sure I'm not the only one that says: Wow, I feel so virtuous about that workout... one order of fries(or ice cream or doughnut or...) won't hurt what good I just did! "Self control" is not as easy as some think. Yes, I agree that is in our power to change and make sensible choices, but man... carrot sticks just do not 'do' when french fries are screaming out your name!

peacenique

Aug 8, 2009 2:22 AM CDT

"defeatist BS"??!! My take on the article was not at all defeatist! The reality IS that you cannot forgo one path for the other. The article WAS "all about balance"!

Netstorm2k10

Aug 7, 2009 11:59 AM CDT

Actually, with the increase in metabolism created by strenuous exercise, you burn more calories than that consumed by the exercise. Also, increasing your muscle fiber, through weight training increases your caloric consumption by increasing the amount of tissue working during the exercise. You can burn calories just sitting still.

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weight loss • exercise • human • eating • aerobics

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Why Exercise May Not Erase That Gut