[LambSlave]

Saw an interesting report today that was rather startling. The NIH measured metabolism of Biggest Loser candidates SIX YEARS after their weight loss. Regardless of what they had done in the meantime (e.g. maintained weight, gained all weight back, exercised, didn't) they suffered a persistent slowing of metabolism; for one his actual metabolism was 800 calories less PER DAY than expected for his size and fitness level.

Now, to put this in context, this means that he would gain a pound every three days (you don't gain a pound of fat when you gain weight, you gain muscle and connective tissue as well so let's forget the 3000 calories equal a pound gained nonsense) if he were eating the recommended number of calories. In a year this would represent a gain of about one hundred and twenty pounds. So in addition to genetics, and diet, and exercise (a minor factor; you can't exercise enough to make a big difference and it stimulates appetite), there is also the body's homeostasis and its drive to preserve the status quo. Earlier studies of bushmen and others found similar surprises; given their extreme activity level you would expect them to require a very large number of calories per day to maintain weight, but they maintained weight on about half of that. Anyway, point being it is not just eating too much. And no, I'm not overweight.

[utahagen]

Your post was a good summary of that NYTimes article. The article itself glossed over the fact that The Biggest Loser grossly overemphasizes the role of exercise in weight loss. Exercise is NOT the key to losing and keeping off weight for four reasons: in real life, no one can do six-to-eight hours of strenuous exercise a day (which is what the contestants on TBL do); you can gain much more weight quickly by overeating than you can lose quickly by exercising; strenuous exercise increases your appetite; and regular, strenuous exercise makes your body more efficient at using calories, meaning it can function by burning less fat.

[bigtoona]

Right on, its a very complicated hormonal process.. Gary Taubes video ‘why we get fat’ opened my eyes.

[dsc]

“you can’t exercise enough to make a big difference”

I know one way you can.