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Some people are going to ding him for including exercise, and it's true that the physical calorie expenditure of exercise won't achieve much for weight loss unl

by dkarl 1y ago

Some people are going to ding him for including exercise, and it's true that the physical calorie expenditure of exercise won't achieve much for weight loss unless you make cycling a major hobby. However, I think exercise goes a long way towards loosening the mental trap. It helps you build an identity as a healthy person, it relieves the guilt about not taking care of yourself, and it takes the edge off of emotions like anxiety. All of these things make it easier to avoid excessive eating. I don't think exercise is a must-have for everybody for weight loss, but I think more people should try it, and I think it gets overlooked because most of the claims about the calorie burn aspect of it haven't stood up.

lanfeust6 1y ago
Exercise is also a very strong predictor of long-term success in keeping weight off. Plus it's important for overall health anyway. Protects lean body mass, so that when you're shedding the pounds, you lose less muscle and more fat. That's one effect people are less aware of. One reason your metabolism drops as you lose weight is you can also lose lean body mass. Muscle and organs.
- tonyedgecombe 1y ago
  It also helps with stress which is a major contributor to overeating.
cubefox 1y ago
Exercise is also something you can "get into". For example, you force yourself to go to the gym a few times, or to go running a few times. And then you start beating your previous records, at which point you get more ambitious. You try to research the best supplements on the web, or the best pull-up bar for at home, and before you know it, you are transforming into a "gym bro" without previously intending to. It's remarkably easy to get into various obsessions, even if they are entirely healthy.
bluetidepro 1y ago
There is also something to be said about doing exercise at a gym/class and seeing other healthy/fit people. It gives you practical evidence right in front of your eyes on how you COULD look. As well as likely becoming friends with people in those spaces that also have healthy habits. I have always found that motivation to be very strong.
AstroBen 1y ago
> unless you make cycling a major hobby Cycling specifically is incredibly good. It's easy to stay at a low-moderate zone 2 effort you can maintain for many hours, unlike running. It's also very easy on your body

by dkarl 1y ago

lanfeust6 1y ago

Exercise is also a very strong predictor of long-term success in keeping weight off. Plus it's important for overall health anyway. Protects lean body mass, so that when you're shedding the pounds, you lose less muscle and more fat. That's one effect people are less aware of. One reason your metabolism drops as you lose weight is you can also lose lean body mass. Muscle and organs.

tonyedgecombe 1y ago
It also helps with stress which is a major contributor to overeating.

cubefox 1y ago

Exercise is also something you can "get into". For example, you force yourself to go to the gym a few times, or to go running a few times. And then you start beating your previous records, at which point you get more ambitious. You try to research the best supplements on the web, or the best pull-up bar for at home, and before you know it, you are transforming into a "gym bro" without previously intending to. It's remarkably easy to get into various obsessions, even if they are entirely healthy.

bluetidepro 1y ago

There is also something to be said about doing exercise at a gym/class and seeing other healthy/fit people. It gives you practical evidence right in front of your eyes on how you COULD look. As well as likely becoming friends with people in those spaces that also have healthy habits. I have always found that motivation to be very strong.

AstroBen 1y ago

> unless you make cycling a major hobby Cycling specifically is incredibly good. It's easy to stay at a low-moderate zone 2 effort you can maintain for many hours, unlike running. It's also very easy on your body