Exercise and RMR
Trainer James Fell spells out the good – and bad – news in the LA Times.
Though its origins are uncertain, any number of fitness magazines have made the “50 calories per pound of muscle” statement. Popular weight-loss gurus have jumped on the muscle-building-as-panacea-for-fat-loss bandwagon as well.
Dr. Mehmet Oz said in a 2007 presentation to the National Cosmetology Assn., “Muscle burns about 50 times more calories than fat does.” Bill Phillips wrote in his bestselling “Body for Life” that, “through resistance training, you can also significantly increase your metabolic rate … weight training is even superior to aerobic exercise for people who want to lose weight.” And Jorge Cruise wrote in “8 Minutes in the Morning” that his exercise regimen “will help you firm up five pounds of lean muscle within the first few weeks, allowing your body to burn an extra 250 calories per day.”
Gain 5 pounds of muscle in the first few weeks? If only.
Working out is good for your health and the shape of your body. But diet still matters. Yes, exercise burns calories and provides a small metabolic boost, but it’s not enough to compensate for bad dietary choices. As Fell concludes:
All of this, in any case, ignores the most important part of weight loss: what you eat. “The bottom line is that weight loss is 90% about diet,” obesity researcher Dr. Sue Pedersen, a specialist in endocrinology and metabolism in Calgary, told me. “The studies show that exercise alone is not going to result in weight loss.”
In other words, hours of running and weightlifting won’t burn your belly fat if you fuel that exercise with Haagen-Dazs.
Too true.
May 14, 2011
I wish more people understood this concept. The old saying “you are what you eat” is so true. I found that eating correctly is so important based on what your trying to accomplish.
In most cases Haagen-Dazs wont cut it.
May 14, 2011
Perfect……unfortunately, food has gone from fuel/sustinence (sp?) to being eaten for pure enjoyment only, it seems. I enjoy food as much, if not more, than anyone. But when it comes down to it, you truly are what you eat. Plus, heaven forbid, it requires a little planning and (gasp) WORK to eat in a health goal-oriented manner (especially if you DO want to make sure it tastes good and ha e a decent variety). I realize we don’t all live in a vacuum and have families (particularly kids) that come into play, but who better to cook and be healthy for?