Formosa Fitness

One of the ideas in yesterday's New York Times piece that really bugs the hell out of me is this idea that exercise alone won't help you lose weight. It will, if done correctly. The overall idea to keep in mind is calories in, calories out.

In the documentary "I Want to Look like that Guy" the would-be bodybuilder McDonald lost 6% bodyfat with no change to diet whatsoever. This was a brillant move by his trainer Jeff Willet. Willet started McDonald with exercise alone and got him used to working out with good form. As the form got better, the weights increased and the cardio got more intense. But Willet told McDonald to not change the diet, meaning McDonald didn't suffer any food withdrawal problems or cravings. But here's the key: his caloric expenditure went UP over time. More calories burned with no diet changes = negative energy state. McDonald WAS burning fat. Again, he lost 6% bodyfat. A noticeable difference.

But this process is NOT what was talked about in the article. The article made is seem like you have to cut back on calories through dieting or you're doomed. That's not true. What you have to do is get into a negative energy state by: a. buring more calories through exercise, b. cutting calories, or both. That range of options wasn't explored.

I've seen this in my own clients. I just have them work out hard at first and get used to it. The trick is to have them NOT increase the amount of food they consume.They will lose fat if they stick to that idea.

Now again, the criticism that could be made is that diet is still important in this equation because it's important that you not consume more calories for the exercise to burn fat. That's true and it may look like I'm splitting hairs. But it's an important hair and not clear at all from the NYT article. People reading that article will be greatly discouraged.

Additionally, let me interject that this will only get you so far. Eventually diet must be addressed for additional fat loss to take place.

And to stick my foot in it even more, I would highly advise people get their training advice from trainers, not scientists (or reporters). People are NOT mice. That should be obvious. Scientists have no idea how to train people. That isn't their job. Science is nice and all but it isn't the end of the story. Trainers are the people that take the theory and put it into practice. If you want to get into shape, you want a trainer not a guy in a white lab coat.

If you want proof of the process, get "I Want to Look Like That Guy" and watch. You will be surprised.