Does Exercise Really Help You Lose Weight?

A Provocative Weight Loss and Exercise Thesis By Gary Taubes

Oct 25, 2009

Writer Gary Taubes argues that exercise is not key to weight loss. The author says that it can make you actually feel hungrier and possibly even gain weight as a result.

Most health professionals argue that in order to lose weight one must do two things: The first action that must be taken is to reduce consumption of excess calories. The second action necessary is to increase one’s daily and weekly exercise. Experts argue that exercise is a vital part of any reasonable weight loss plan. Without it, people will find it even more difficult to lose weight.

In a provocative New York Magazine article, science writer Gary Taubes makes the very opposite argument. Mr. Taubes earned an undergraduate degree in physics from Harvard, a graduate degree in aerospace engineering from Stanford and a master’s degree in journalism from Colombia University.

New York Magazine

The article begins with a study by two Finnish researchers looking at the correlation between weight loss and exercise. Mr. Taube’s magazine article quotes the Finns as stating that any relationship between exercise and long term weight loss is, “more complex than they might have imagined.”

The New York Magazine article continues with the observation that “The one thing that might be said about exercise with certainty is that it tends to makes us hungry.” Readers who continue onwards learn that historically, people were advised against exercising in order to lose weight. Exercise, experts argued back then, only served to stimulate the appetite and make people hungrier. The harder the workout, the hungrier they became. Not only did exercise stimulate the appetite but it also burned a minimal amount of calories.

According to the article, opinion shifted away from this belief and towards current theory because of the work of Jean Mayer, a man Taubes describes as the “most influential nutritionist in the country.” Mayer argued that sedentary living led to weight gain. Increased physical activity could lead to people becoming leaner, Mr. Mayer argued.

Set Weight Point

Taubes documents the rise of physical exercise programs as a staple of American media and education as a result of this belief. The author argues that experts at the time still cannot ignore that exercise makes people hungrier, and as a result they eat more. Mr. Taubes also argues that human beings have a set weight point. People’s bodies are geared towards the concept of homeostasis, or remaining at a set point. As a result, human metabolism prefers to maintain a constant weight. Only under conditions of duress, Mr. Taubes argues, does this fundamental fact change.

The author ultimately concludes that if human beings wish to lose weight, they are best served by eating better rather than relying on exercise alone to push off excess calories.

Mr. Taubes makes a compelling, fascinating and interesting case against reliance on exercise in this article. Anyone considering taking up an exercise program in order to help lose weight should consult with a doctor to clear up any remaining questions they might have before they begin.

The copyright of the article Does Exercise Really Help You Lose Weight? in Weight Loss Methods is owned by Stacy Herlihy. Permission to republish Does Exercise Really Help You Lose Weight? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.