I hate articles like this….like Dena mentioned…they create the “why bother” attitude in the majority of Americans who think exercise=weight loss. Exercise = so much more and everyone can benefit from it. This was one reason I stopped my subscription to the popular fitness mag…the articles all seemed to have the “best workout for bikini” or “great legs in 6 easy steps” mentality…where is the “exercise feels so good and when you do it your body craves it the next day” ariticles were left out. If only we could read success stories all the time…that is the most motivating!!

Although I am perpetually fighting off extra weight and I do, for the most part, watch what I eat and exercise, we still have to think about people that don’t think like we do, but are content with a little exercise. They will derive health benefits from their effort, just not as much as if they were to go the extra mile!

Jessica – Remember this was an article written for the general population, not specifically athletes training for shows who tend to have strengthened their will power. It also wasn’t saying you shouldn’t exercise. If I understood it correctly it was saying, exercise alone won’t get you the body you want b/c most people will think they can eat more than they really can. I really don’t think that is an absurd statement. Most people overestimate how many calories they are burning when they work out. And it’s not uncommon for people to think (I know I’ve done this) “Oh I worked out that double cheeseburger doesn’t count” or “that extra cup of almonds does’t count” when it fact for the average person it will count.

That’s GREAT you get to eat the same calories on and off season. Everyone’s bodies are different and respond differently to different foods. I always have had to cut my calories back a bit (not a lot) no matter what I’m eating when I lean out for a show. Not only do I have to pay very close attention to calories but also what they are from and when I eat them. Personally speaking, I have also gained quite a bit a weight from extra calories even when they are from really healthy foods (specifically too much nut butters) so I’m afraid calories alone will make me fat.

Not to knock your choice to exercise 2-3 times a day but I do want readers to know that is unnecessary for the average person who is wanting to lose some fat. I rarely exercised more than once a day even when I was training for my shows. Once again I’m not intending to knock your choice but many readers are not training for shows and it’s hard enough for most people to fit one workout in a day. I just don’t want anyone to get discouraged!!! THANKS for your comment and sharing your experience with us!!!

Actually, both exercise AND eating stimulates your metabolism… which is why athletes eat smaller, lean balanced meals throughout the day AS WELL AS exercise, twice, sometimes 3 times a day (but for shorter durations then the average active person). By stimulating the metabolism more, you’ll be a lean, mean fuel burning machine all day! WooHoo!

If you are eating the RIGHT foods, “calories” alone will never make you fat!!! It’s the quality of those calories that MUST be considered! I eat the same amount of calories/day when I lean out for a competition then I do during OFF SEASON, but I also choose the foods I decide to fuel with (and WHEN) wisely!

…just thought I’d give you my 2 cents on THAT subject!