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To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

nytimes.com

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Re: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

#21

Post by pizza234 »

venomsnake wrote: post #3

Isn't it obvious - you BMR is 2-3 times higher than your all other energy expenditures for the day. If you overeat nothing can save you ...

It's not obvious, actually; exercise also affects the BMR, as a matter of fact, according to some theories, certain types of exercise increase the BMR more than certain others (I don't express any support for this, just pointing out).

Although we're not talking about huge amounts, when having a precise dieting regime, even a few hundred calories of "good weight loss" matter.

Definitely nothing can save one from overeating, but that's why overeating itself it's a completely different matter.

To wrap up, while of course in this field little or nothing is definitely proven, definitely no, this is not obvious :-)

Re: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

#22

Post by lubonay »

paulojreis wrote: post #11
huehue wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Over eating on high quality bacon won't stop you from being a lard-ass.

He mentioned "eating better". Eating "high quality bacon" isn't eating better.

Hey, it's better compared to low quality bacon.

Re: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

#23

Post by jsmthrowaway »

joelrunyon wrote: post #5

Still amazed that people are still considering this a pure caloric issue and not a food quality issue. When you look at how various hormones (namely insulin) are affected by blood sugar & affect body composition, it seems you'd want to promote a method that bears that in mind. That said, I think the focus should be on "eating better" not just "eating less."

Be amazed all you want, but you're conflating two different issues, as does everyone who discusses it the way you do. Your attitude on this is actually a public health risk, because you're implying eating "better" is necessary to lose weight, and eating "better" almost always puts "better" out of reach of low-income families. "Yes, you can lose weight, you just need to spend $60 more a week on things I consider better at the grocery store."

Better is a relative term. Your better is not my better. How do you quantify better? Can you explain that to me?

Eat fewer calories than you need. Lose weight. Not rocket science. Sweat the other stuff later, and treat it like a separate issue, because it is.

Wouldn't disagree so strongly with you if you said "this is good. In addition to just figuring calories out, people should also eat better." Then I'd agree with you, but you're indignant and "amazed" like nobody understands the nuances of one value minus another, and if you're not making a salad, why even try. My entire life I've been overweight, and everybody has told me I need to eat "better," and I just started eating less of exactly what I ate before and it works. It's mysterious.

Re: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

#24

Post by kfk »

Yeah, that is true, but I hold that being overweight and exercising (real exercise, not the fake gym training programs) is far better for your health and your well being overall. At least you keep a functional body - you can do long walks, runs, climbing, etc. - which is a much better life if you ask me, but that's only my opinion, I repeat, only an opinion.

Edit. Just to be clear, of course being slim and exercising is a better option. I am just saying that for health I would prioritize exercise over weight.

Re: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

#25

Post by paulojreis »

snez wrote: post #12
joelrunyon wrote: post #5

Still amazed that people are still considering this a pure caloric issue and not a food quality issue. When you look at how various hormones (namely insulin) are affected by blood sugar & affect body composition, it seems you'd want to promote a method that bears that in mind. That said, I think the focus should be on "eating better" not just "eating less."

Eating 3000kcal of "quality food" every day will still make you gross fat and give you heart problems. And did you know that protein also affects insulin? Insulin is essential for muscle building. Still find it hilarious how so many people still don't understand that a caloric deficit or surplus is the #1 thing to do when trying to cut or bulk.

> Still find it hilarious how so many people still don't understand that a caloric deficit or surplus is the #1 thing to do when trying to cut or bulk.

Don't you think that there's more to human nutrition than "cut" or "bulk"?

Re: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

#26

Post by lamby »

joelrunyon wrote: post #5

Still amazed that people are still considering this a pure caloric issue and not a food quality issue. When you look at how various hormones (namely insulin) are affected by blood sugar & affect body composition, it seems you'd want to promote a method that bears that in mind. That said, I think the focus should be on "eating better" not just "eating less."

> considering this a pure caloric issue and not a food quality issue

I'm sure this will get a bunch of "but calories in calories out" replies - nobody is doubting the laws of thermodynamics, but there is an world of difference being, say, 400kcal under your TDEE eating "better" foods versus junk, both in terms of your mental outlook, how your body will look at the end, and whether you will stick to the diet and therefore succeed at your weight loss goals.

Re: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

#28

Post by rednukleus »

emirozer wrote: post #13
joelrunyon wrote: post #5

Still amazed that people are still considering this a pure caloric issue and not a food quality issue. When you look at how various hormones (namely insulin) are affected by blood sugar & affect body composition, it seems you'd want to promote a method that bears that in mind. That said, I think the focus should be on "eating better" not just "eating less."

No, the focus should be eating the right amount of healthy food.

That's exactly his point. The approach of merely counting calories ignores the fact that some foods such as diet soda are low in calories but can have an effect on body composition.

You shouldn't just "eat less" you should "eat better", and that means eating an appropriate amount of healthy good.

Re: To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More

#29

Post by paulojreis »

lubonay wrote: post #22
paulojreis wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He mentioned "eating better". Eating "high quality bacon" isn't eating better.

Hey, it's better compared to low quality bacon.

I won't disagree with that - if I'm making wrong nutritional choices, let them be as tasty as possible!
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