Originally Posted by
tractorlegs
the "starvation" concept as we're referring to it in this thread is a slowdown in weight loss, not a stop. I'm still losing weight, but just not at the rate I was. This is supported in the Weight Watchers article you linked to, and is what we're referring to.
Your other comment about the importance of exercise I support one thousand percent. Not only for weight loss, but for overall health Exercise is of supreme importance. Although I'm on Weight Watchers, I've stated in other conversations that I consider my weight loss primarily the result of bicycling, with the diet lending a helping hand. Some say that weight loss is 80% diet, 20% exercise; but I would put it at completely the opposite. I'm a great fan of Covert Bailey (Fit or Fat). With exercise we are literally recreating our bodies, transforming them into efficient machines. Weight loss naturally follows.
Unfortunately I have to disagree with you regarding your views on exercise over dieting, and so does the medical and scientific community. There have been tons of studies done regarding this and it has been proven that an improved diet alone will give better weight loss results than just exercising alone without a change in diet. A quick google search will provide many examples of this from reputable sources. The problem is that people tend to drastically over-estimate how many calories they burn during exercise (supported by studies) and think the exercise they are doing will give greater results toward weight loss then it actually does. If you dont believe me buy a heart rate monitor and go for a ride; you may be surprised at the actual number of calories you are burning (as a side note, I highly recommend a heart rate monitor anyway for all types of exercise. It will help you work out more efficiently). For example, I literally just finished working out on my trainer for 45 minutes, with an average heart rate of around 77% max, I felt the burn almost the entire time, and I burned a little over 650 calories. My point is that you would have to workout like an absolute animal to equal the same amount of calories you can simply cut from a bad diet. You say you consider your weight loss to be from cycling, and you flip the importance of dieting over exercise, but this isnt true. What really happened is, and I dont mean to offend, but you went from a poor diet that made you overweight to WW, and extremely controlled diet. The difference in calories between those 2 diets is incredible; thats the main cause of your weight loss.
Im not trying to be a jerk or get into any arguments, I just want anyone trying to lose weight to be informed and understand the importance of a good diet and to not over emphasize exercise because that can lead to disappointing results. You cant just eat whatever you want, no matter how much exercise you do, and expect to lose weight.
But, pretty much everyone agrees, including myself, that a combination of diet and exercise is most effective, both for weight loss and also for the health benefits of exercise that does not directly result in fat loss (increased cardiovascular system, toning and retention or building of muscle mass). Exercise will absolutely make a difference, just remember diet is king. And i do agree with you that exercise plays an important, larger role in maintaining weight loss once your target weight has been reached.