Counting Calories v.s. Exercise
December 18, 2006 by Mohamed
Filed under Weight Loss
Dieters do calories, not exercise
Counting calories may be seen as an easier way to weight loss
Twice as many dieters count calories to lose weight rather than exercise, a poll has found.
Calorie counting is most popular with women – half opt to count their food intake, compared with a third of men.
Yet 59% of the 2,000 people surveyed by GlaxoSmithKline Nutritional Healthcare realised exercise makes the greater contribution to personal health.
More choice in low-calorie foods means people are giving up exercise in favour of consuming less, nutritionists say.
Consuming fewer calories is no substitute for exercise
John Brewer, GSK Sports Scientist, said: “The trend of people swapping the gym for a low calorie meal is very worrying.
“Consuming fewer calories is no substitute for exercise. We cannot afford to become a nation of calorie-counting couch potatoes – the benefits of leading active lives are enormous.”
Graham Neale of GSK Nutritional Healthcare said diet food manufacturers had a responsibility to consumers.
He said: “With food and drink manufacturers broadening their ‘diet’ ranges, we need a concerted effort to encourage consumers to focus as much on ‘energy out’ as ‘energy in’.”
Little and often
Charlene Shoneye, research dietician at Weight Concern, said: “I’m not surprised by the results.
“A lot of people find the idea of going to the gym quite daunting and so reducing calorie intake seems to be an easier option.
Burning calories in exercise is vital, nutritionists say
“A recent survey found only 12% of the population are gym members.
“We promote physical activity as opposed to going to the gym per se. Things like taking the stairs instead of using the lift and walking when ever possible to increase your energy expenditure throughout the day.
“The recommendation is 60 minutes of activity a day. That can be done in smaller slots.
“There are so many low calorie, low fat products out there…and calorie counting is important, but so is exercising.
“Physical activity has health benefits other than weight loss.”
SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6183799.stm
Enjoy!
Mohammed
I read about a natural fat replacement ingredient called Z Trim on page 90 of the book “You on a Diet” by Oprah’s doctor, Mehmet Oz. I ordered off of the Z Trim web site and have been cooking with it for a few weeks now. It works and its easy. It lowers calories by replacing portions of the oils, butter, and other fats. It also adds fiber to foods, because it basically is corn fiber made into a gel that works like fat in most cooking. They say it is undetectable, and that’s true. My cooking tastes like it always did. I’ve lost some weight, slowly. It’s a sensible approach and its natural. I eat what I want; it tastes as good as it always did, and I’m finally “right-sizing” my body. A total win-win.
Hi Bob,
Great to hear that! I think natural supplements are fine to take, but as always you need to be cautious about what you take. I had recently read an article about someone in Hong Kong that took a natural supplement (tea) and it caused her heart to palipitate! Scary. But I’ve also read about another supplement that adds more fibre to your body — so that the effect should be that it keeps you feeling full and helps lower cholesterol. I’ll look for that article and post it to the blog in a few days.
Best of luck with your weight loss! It looks like you’re on the right track!
Regards,
Mohammed