Re: For Luna - Exercise And Weight Control/Maintenance

From: Luna (lunachick_at_NOSPAMmindspring.com)
Date: 12/10/04 

Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2004 16:32:36 GMT

In article <1olgluxmp7j39$.1874d59c081y$.dlg@40tude.net>,
 MU <munospam@fastmail.fm> wrote:

> On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 01:08:44 GMT, Luna wrote:
>
> >> Everyone improves; you did.
> >
> > Sure. I'm not going to look like a professional athelete from 20 minutes a
> > day with a thighmaster though.
>
> Tell me your not using that thing. Please. I was referring to Curves.
>

I had a thighmaster when they first came out, lol. Curves did contribute
to my weight loss, I believe. Going from doing no exercise to Curves 3
times a week was at least something. And, they never promoted it as a way
to look like a bodybuilder.

> > The thing about genetics is that it places
> > a limit on what your body can look like, but you can't find that limit
> > without effort. When I look at the women in my family, some are fat and
> > some are thin, but we all have the same overall _shape_ of big hips,
> > thighs, and butts compared to our waists. So, I assume that even when I
> > get to my ideal weight and body fat percentage, I still will be a pear
> > shape. I will never be a triangle.
>
> Bone structures, yes. But this post to you is pointed to the rationale of
> exercise and weight loss/control as a "necessary" combination.

I'm sure people _can_ lose weight and maintain it without exercise. I just
question your statement that _most_ sucessful people do it that way. I
believe that most sucessful losers/maintainers do it with a combination of
diet and exercise. Doing it with exercise alone, if the diet is that of a
typical fat American (huge portions, convenience foods, lots of carbs and
fat) would mean hours upon hours of vigorous exercise which most people
don't have the time or inclination for. On the other hand, doing it with
diet alone may require more willpower than the average person has,
especially when it comes to maintenance. If you reach equilibrium on a
strict diet, and you get down to a healthy weight, it becomes even harder
to pass up the occasional treat. After all, a person may reason, I'm not
fat anymore so I can eat this piece of cake or whatever. Thus begins a
slippery slope to regaining. But, if they exercise regularly, it could
easily be enough to offset the occasional treat without regaining. You can
have a balance of exercising for a reasonable period of time instead of as
a full-time job, and be able to enjoy some "fattening" foods in moderation,
without regaining weight. My hypothesis is that this strategy works
because it is a more enjoyable way to live than either "exercise only" or
"diet only." 

-- 
Michelle Levin
http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick
I have only 3 flaws.  My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws.