Video: Exercise Isn't the Best Way to Lose Weight

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Exercise has tons of benefits but for the most part I feel it is counter productive to weight loss and a lot of studies back that up. I exercised for years and never made any progress, but seriously changing how I eat and the hormonal benefit of WLS, weight lost.

When I work out at strenuous levels, my hunger skyrockets, like a ravenous wolf. I found it impossible to control my calories working out heavily, I would be so hungry I would over eat all the time.

Anyway I found this interesting and thought I would share.

[smg 471]

I feel a bit differently. Though I agree with the concept overall in the video that exercise does not necessarily lead directly to weight loss, I do feel that it's necessary to some degree for people that have had bariatric surgery and can eat a limited amount of calories. The reason is because that our bodies will burn stored fat for energy, but as we drastically lose a lot of that, the body will look for other sources of energy as well. That's usually muscle tissue. The body can convert muscle into energy and so I think it's extremely important to build that muscle back up through moderate weight training.

There are even several studies available that suggest the body will burn muscle BEFORE stored fat, because it's less "protected" than stored fat. This is also another reason that Protein is soooooo important post-op. Intake of Protein can provide the body with the much needed amino acids and therefore slow it down or prevent it (to some extend) from breaking down existing muscle tissue.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Exercise is important for health. I don't think anyone will discount that but it isn't important for losing weight, what you eat and in what amounts, counts for more.

I think a lot of WLS patients lose muscle because their Protein recommendations are way too low. I see grown men on here striving for 60-80 grams of Protein, and that isn't enough.

And I totally agree that building and keeping muscle is important long term, mainly because it keeps your RMR/BMR up.

I still think a lot of the focus on exercise is a stress inducer for people and counter productive. Drs and other tell people they have to work out in a gym to lose weight and that is just not true. There are all kinds of ways to increase your activity and exercise levels that don't include a gym. I have been to a regular gym I think 3 times since surgery, maybe 5.

[LowBMISleever 381]

I killed myself working out in my pre-surgery life. And I did exactly what that video says - got starving and thought I could eat whatever I wanted after a hard work out. All it did was let me maintain, never lose. This was a great video. Super educational!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edited August 19, 2016 by LowBMISleever

[needtorecover 574]

This is why I tend to exercise shortly before bed. It doesn't interfere with my sleep at all and my stomach is *always* roaring with hunger after a workout. But if I'm going to go to sleep anyway, the hunger won't bother me so I win! If I'm particularly hungry I'll have food dreams.

Once I dreamed I was at a buffet eating macaroni and cheese, chocolate cake, and fried chicken nonstop. No matter how much I ate I couldn't get satisfied. One of my brain's many ways of rebelling against weight loss.

Conventional wisdom suggests exercising first thing in the morning to boost metabolism all day. That backfires on me and I end up eating way more than I would have otherwise if I light my appetite on fire with a workout upon waking. Nope, just before bed is what works best for me. One cannot eat if one is asleep and then when I wake up, I can eat breakfast!

[LowBMISleever 381]

@@needtorecover That is so funny! I've been having the food dreams since 3 days post op. It's usually me finishing a large pizza to myself. I wake myself up from crying from guilt, then realize it was just a dream and am SOO relieved!! I think these dreams help keep me on track lol, but it's kind of masochistic. I wish I'd stop having them!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edited August 19, 2016 by LowBMISleever

[Babbs 14,681]

There's an older gal that seems to be at the gym every time I'm there. I've seen her for the past almost 2 years. Although she seems to be in pretty good shape, probably has a great heart, and has much more endurance for exercise than most people her age, she still is overweight and has been since the first day I saw her.

When you see people who consistently work out but still aren't in the normal weight range, that proves there's more to it than just exercise

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Most interesting video. I wonder, however, whether this will become common wisdom until 10 or so years down the road, when another study will disprove the theory and turn back toward exercise being a true component of weight loss. So many topics go through cycles, such as the benefits of breast-feeding and so many others.

I'm glad they did take care to say that exercise is important for good health. At first I thought it would be skipped over. It's too bad that the worldwide contingent that hears only what it wants to hear will take in only that exercise doesn't have a part in weight-loss.

I'm going to post the video at another site I frequent.