The Role of Exercise in Weight Loss
Posted on Mon, Jan 09, 2012
We hear it all the time, I'm going to join a gym to lose weight. If people pursue it so frequently why does it not seem to work? In a typical pattern, the patient will enter the gym with great enthusiasm. Initially motivated, they workout hard perhaps enjoying some modest weight loss at the start. However what little weight loss occurs quickly stops and becomes a point of discouragement.
At The Petteruti Center, we feel exercises such as pilates, yoga, tai chi, jogging and weightlifting have a valuable role in structuring our routine to make our goal of weight reduction more successful. Unfortunately, in the absence of significant nutritional change and in many cases appropriate medical support, exercise alone does little to induce weight loss. The reasons are due to several factors. One is simply the efficiency of the human body to conserve energy. While a vigorous 30 minutes session of exercise may burn up to 400 cal, this amount of energy is easily replaced with a modest amount of eating. Sometimes exercise can give us a sense of freedom with food intake. Many times have people talk to themselves thinking,”I'll eat what I like now and exercise it off later.” This rationale can lead to failure in weight reduction. In addition, some forms of exercise, particularly those involving strength training, can actually stimulate the appetite.
Frequently appropriate medical therapy such as phentermine or in some cases bupropion in the proper combinations are necessary to block the surge in hunger drive. While exercise as a stand-alone therapy is not adequate for weight reduction, it is essential for long-term health, life extension and muscle preservation. One of the consequences of weight loss can be a reduction in lean body mass. Simply put; when you lose weight some of it is lost as muscle. To minimize this consequence, we promote strength training and regular exercise as part of our philosophy of life extension and weight management. So go ahead exercise all you like - the reward is in better conditioning, better muscle tone, even a better state of mind. But don't expect weight loss in the absence of complementary therapies such as are available at The Petteruti Center. To do so invites frustration into your life. Remember, exercise and a well conditioned body is its own reward. That reward can be enjoyed no matter your body size or type.
-Dr. Stephen Petteruti
The Petteruti for Life Extension Center is located in Warwick, Rhode Island. Dr. Petteruti is the Medical Director who is board certified in family practice and bariatric (medical weight loss) medicine. To lean how we can help you achieve your healthy weight, call us at 401-921-5934.