I'm horrified

[KittyMommy]

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/and-now-the-exercise-resistant-dieter/index.html?hp

[EZ rider]

That article sure points out the differences each of us as individuals have. One line stood out more to me then others in the article. Quote:

"Some research suggests that heavy exercisers may unknowingly move more slowly during the periods when they aren’t exercising."

This is one of the reasons I try to time my exercise to concur with those times when I am feeling good and ready to go.

[greenfeline]

I wonder if they were tracking their diet, too. It doesn't look like it. I would think you would want to have several other factors to look at. Such as how much weight did they all have to lose (how overweight were they?) I always have to see the original studies before putting any credence in to summarized findings. I have heard many news stories get studies wrong when they report on them. They use certain terms that the original text of the study does not such as "causation" and "significance". These are very specific findings that can be easily reported incorrectly.

[justinesmith]

It also disappoints me to see that they only have a one line mention of the fact that regardless of weight loss, exercise is important for an overall healthy lifestyle. Of course everyone is different ~ I am amazed at how different my body reacts to certain exercises and not others even though I am "burning" the same amt. of calories. Ugh.

[Morn]

Losing weight from exercise (along with a healthy diet) is only one potential benefit of exercise. I find for me when I exercise I have more energy, stanima, improved flexibility, strength, and it is an overall destresser. Also cardio is good for my heart! So even if you don't lose a pound, the health benefits overall are worth it! But clearly I think this test group is a minority. Overall I think if you are eating healthy and exercising, the majority of people will see weightloss. But even if they don't, they are still experiencing health benefits.

[sbaker]

I had a personal trainer 3 times a week for an hour...for 2 months, and i ate healthier than i had in years at that time...not 1 pound lost. and i WASNT gaining muscle. I'm already really muscular, so i figured working those muscles would burn fast.... but nope. All that happened is that i would come home tired and SO hungry, like starving like i've never felt before, and eat to compensate. i ate healthy mind you, but i still NEEDED to eat. i exercise now, but i hike instead, slow steady 1 hour hikes about every other day, that mixed with raw has helped me maintain/lose. But i think a lot more is because of the food i eat, not the activity level.
i think there is some truth to what they say about people being different. i know strenuous exercise did not work for me AT ALL!

[Eva]

Our bodies are more complicated than simple formulas of # calories eaten - # calories burned = exact size and muscle mass.

I feel good when I exercise, I am smaller when I eat more fat. If I start my day with a run, I have energy and clarity for the entire day. If my husband eats more nuts and fat, he gets belly aches and is grumpy. If he starts his day with a run, he wants to take a nap right after.

When I ran 40 miles a week and did weight training for competitive cross country, I was about the same size as I am now, but I was stronger and had more energy...

Health and well being has to trump calories burned.