Why is weight loss and fitness always talked about as if they are interchangeable?
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I do now, and will always exercise so that I can eat more of the things I love! I chose exercises that I know I will continue to do for that trade off. I don’t now, never have, and never will exercise because I think it is fun. For me, exercise is a necessary ingredient for sustainable weight and long term health. I also consider weight loss necessary for fitness. So, weight loss and fitness may not be interchangeable, but weight loss was the first step for me.0
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There would be no point me losing weight if fitness wasn't going to be a part of it.
Sure, I could lose weight with no exercise. I have done that. Lots of people do.
But the main reason I'm losing weight is so that I can exercise more. So my current weight loss is the result of a combination of eating slightly less and exercising more.0 -
There would be no point me losing weight if fitness wasn't going to be a part of it.
Sure, I could lose weight with no exercise. I have done that. Lots of people do.
But the main reason I'm losing weight is so that I can exercise more. So my current weight loss is the result of a combination of eating slightly less and exercising more.
I read this a long time ago and it just hit me what you said. I was having a discussion with someone else and they said something similar and It took me awhile to figure out where I had heard this before.
If your whole point of loosing weight is to exercise more then what happens if you can't exercise? Don't get me wrong I think fitness is a great thing but healthy and fitness is totally independent of each other. There are alot of fit people who aren't healthy. You hear about them all the time you know the marathon runner who has heart disease. Case in point Wilt Chamberlain died of a heart attack only a few days after completing a marathon. He was one of our premier athletes most of his life and always strived to be fit or in shape.
I have learned that using terms like fitness, healthy and weight loss interchangeablly leeds people think they are doing one when they are doing the other.
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There would be no point me losing weight if fitness wasn't going to be a part of it.
Sure, I could lose weight with no exercise. I have done that. Lots of people do.
But the main reason I'm losing weight is so that I can exercise more. So my current weight loss is the result of a combination of eating slightly less and exercising more.
You can be fit and still be unhealthy. How many times have you heard of the man that runs marathons that has the heart attack.
When wilt chamberlain died he has ran a marathon the day before.
If you are obese and you lose weight there are a lot of medications doctors usually take you off.
So I try not to link the 2 activities.0 -
CoffeeNCardio wrote: »I calorie count to lose weight.... I exercise to get away from the zombies faster than you. Simple:)
You, madam, are awesome.0 -
vivmom2014 wrote: »Most folks here believe that weight loss happens from a caloric deficit, period. Add exercise for fitness -- and because it's great -- but it's not a prerequisite for losing weight. That's what I get from these boards, and I agree.
Have you ever asked your self what are the mechanics of fat storage in the human body?
Is it that when you eat something it goes into a little furnace and gets burned if there is to much food it gets stored as fat?
Our body is a lot more complicated then that. Our body is manged by hormones. We do what our hormomes tell us to do. We my try to fight it but we give in to our hormomes eventually.
Calories in calories out leaves the question what body organ uses calories for fuel?0 -
There would be no point me losing weight if fitness wasn't going to be a part of it.
Sure, I could lose weight with no exercise. I have done that. Lots of people do.
But the main reason I'm losing weight is so that I can exercise more. So my current weight loss is the result of a combination of eating slightly less and exercising more.
Thank you0 -
walker1world wrote: »Case in point Wilt Chamberlain died of a heart attack only a few days after completing a marathon. He was one of our premier athletes most of his life and always strived to be fit or in shape.
Wilt Chamberlain? I don't think he was in any kind of shape to be running a marathon a few days before his death, having been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, losing over 50 pounds, and being in very poor health in the months leading up to his death.
Are you thinking of Jim Fixx, perhaps? He popularized "jogging" and died while running, although not during nor immediately following a marathon. Fixx had a genetic predisposition toward heart disease (his father died young of a heart attack) and was a heavy smoker.
In any case, there are rare sudden deaths associated with long distance running in people who seem to be perfectly healthy. There can be significant changes to the heart that may not cause any symptoms.4 -
walker1world wrote: »vivmom2014 wrote: »Most folks here believe that weight loss happens from a caloric deficit, period. Add exercise for fitness -- and because it's great -- but it's not a prerequisite for losing weight. That's what I get from these boards, and I agree.
Have you ever asked your self what are the mechanics of fat storage in the human body?
Is it that when you eat something it goes into a little furnace and gets burned if there is to much food it gets stored as fat?
Our body is a lot more complicated then that. Our body is manged by hormones. We do what our hormomes tell us to do. We my try to fight it but we give in to our hormomes eventually.
Calories in calories out leaves the question what body organ uses calories for fuel?
While insulin is elevated after eating, whatever you have eaten is used as energy source right then, and after awhile if not needed and glucose stores are topped off (muscle & liver), then the unneeded is stored/converted as fat since fat release was stopped too and storage mode was on, then blood sugar lowers along with insulin and you are back to mainly fat burn as energy source during your low intensity day.
Nothing uses calories for fuel - because calories is a measurement of potential energy.
That would be like asking - what parts of your car use gallons for fuel? None in literal sense. Question really doesn't make sense - can't answer it.
But your whole body uses energy from carbs and/or fat and/or protein and/or lactic acid and/or ketones.
What you got available and your level of intensity determines what is used.
But you are right in the 2 should be viewed as separate.
Though exercise could help you to adhere to a diet.
Would you rather burn 2500 and eat 2000 with exercise - and have body improve?
Or burn 2000 and eat 1500 no exercise - and have smaller version of existing body?
And to your comment you have mentioned a few times - if you get sick and have to stop running - then you need to eat less during that time.
Life lesson many have a hard time with regarding weight changes.
You do more you can eat more.
Do less you need to eat less.
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Wilt Chamberlain is dead? How did I miss that?0
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I'll throw in my 2 cents and add that the term fitness lacks a clear definition. What are the exact parameters of fitness? does it include bodyfat% or do you have to beable to accomplish a particular thing? what is fitness exactly.1
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walker1world wrote: »There would be no point me losing weight if fitness wasn't going to be a part of it.
Sure, I could lose weight with no exercise. I have done that. Lots of people do.
But the main reason I'm losing weight is so that I can exercise more. So my current weight loss is the result of a combination of eating slightly less and exercising more.
You can be fit and still be unhealthy. How many times have you heard of the man that runs marathons that has the heart attack.
When wilt chamberlain died he has ran a marathon the day before.
If you are obese and you lose weight there are a lot of medications doctors usually take you off.
So I try not to link the 2 activities.
You can be the picture of health and still suddenly die of something you had no say in. That's just the way it goes sometimes. All your weight etc. does is alter your risk, it is never 0, ever.4 -
stevencloser wrote: »walker1world wrote: »There would be no point me losing weight if fitness wasn't going to be a part of it.
Sure, I could lose weight with no exercise. I have done that. Lots of people do.
But the main reason I'm losing weight is so that I can exercise more. So my current weight loss is the result of a combination of eating slightly less and exercising more.
You can be fit and still be unhealthy. How many times have you heard of the man that runs marathons that has the heart attack.
When wilt chamberlain died he has ran a marathon the day before.
If you are obese and you lose weight there are a lot of medications doctors usually take you off.
So I try not to link the 2 activities.
You can be the picture of health and still suddenly die of something you had no say in. That's just the way it goes sometimes. All your weight etc. does is alter your risk, it is never 0, ever.
I feel what you are saying but being fit a dieing of a heart attack is nonsensical. If you are fit but you have low dense chlorestorol floating around in your blood then you maybe focusing on the wrong thing if living is what matters.0 -
scottburger104 wrote: »I'll throw in my 2 cents and add that the term fitness lacks a clear definition. What are the exact parameters of fitness? does it include bodyfat% or do you have to beable to accomplish a particular thing? what is fitness exactly.
Good question,
One definition is The condition of being fit, suitable or appropriate.
Fit means in shape physically.
I take from this that if you can do activities without killing your self you are fit. A few years ago the Boston marathon doubled the amount of people that completed the race that bmi put them over weight. Those people are fit but they still are over weight.1 -
walker1world wrote: »stevencloser wrote: »walker1world wrote: »There would be no point me losing weight if fitness wasn't going to be a part of it.
Sure, I could lose weight with no exercise. I have done that. Lots of people do.
But the main reason I'm losing weight is so that I can exercise more. So my current weight loss is the result of a combination of eating slightly less and exercising more.
You can be fit and still be unhealthy. How many times have you heard of the man that runs marathons that has the heart attack.
When wilt chamberlain died he has ran a marathon the day before.
If you are obese and you lose weight there are a lot of medications doctors usually take you off.
So I try not to link the 2 activities.
You can be the picture of health and still suddenly die of something you had no say in. That's just the way it goes sometimes. All your weight etc. does is alter your risk, it is never 0, ever.
I feel what you are saying but being fit a dieing of a heart attack is nonsensical. If you are fit but you have low dense chlorestorol floating around in your blood then you maybe focusing on the wrong thing if living is what matters.
Most of the athletes that dropped dead have an undetected heart defect that is a ticking time bomb. It has nothing to do with if they are fit or not8 -
walker1world wrote: »scottburger104 wrote: »I'll throw in my 2 cents and add that the term fitness lacks a clear definition. What are the exact parameters of fitness? does it include bodyfat% or do you have to beable to accomplish a particular thing? what is fitness exactly.
Good question,
One definition is The condition of being fit, suitable or appropriate.
Fit means in shape physically.
I take from this that if you can do activities without killing your self you are fit. A few years ago the Boston marathon doubled the amount of people that completed the race that bmi put them over weight. Those people are fit but they still are over weight.
This is a very good question that probably varies from person to person depending on their age, health, and physical limitations. Someone who is in pain or has injuries may see being "fit" as the ability to accomplish everyday tasks without help. Someone who has a sedentary job may want to be able to climb stairs without panting. Or someone who is already conditioned to exercise may want to be more "fit " so that they can climb a mountain or run a marathon. So maybe fitness is relative?2 -
walker1world wrote: »I feel what you are saying but being fit a dieing of a heart attack is nonsensical. If you are fit but you have low dense chlorestorol floating around in your blood then you maybe focusing on the wrong thing if living is what matters.
So, if you have any predisposition toward heart disease, you should give up on the pursuit of fitness? Bizarre theory. Not every heart attack is caused by an overabundance of LDL...
After reading this whole thread, I'm still not quite sure what the message is that you want to send. I think the problem lies in your premise that many posters on MFP equate being at a healthy weight with being fit, which I have not observed. Then somehow it seems like that segued into the idea that there is no sense in pursuing fitness if it will not lead to immortality.
Personally, I strongly advocate for a balanced approach - fitness and a healthy weight are both desirable goals and should be pursued jointly to achieve one's personal optimal level of health.
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walker1world wrote: »I feel what you are saying but being fit a dieing of a heart attack is nonsensical. If you are fit but you have low dense chlorestorol floating around in your blood then you maybe focusing on the wrong thing if living is what matters.
...After reading this whole thread, I'm still not quite sure what the message is that you want to send. I think the problem lies in your premise that many posters on MFP equate being at a healthy weight with being fit, which I have not observed....
Personally, I strongly advocate for a balanced approach - fitness and a healthy weight are both desirable goals and should be pursued jointly to achieve one's personal optimal level of health.
Right. I want to be healthy, fit and trim. I can lose weight first without exercise and try to recomp later. Another option would be to exercise simultaneously while I'm calorie counting to preserve lean body mass. Or I could put off losing weight for a bit, maintain current weight and start working out first and then tackle cutting and losing weight later. They are all options.0 -
Linebackers are overweight and very fit.. They have body fat for a reason.. You can be overweight and healthy and you can be overweight and fit.
Lost in translation? Am I missing something..
I read somewhere the other day that choosing to do your running very early morning upon getting out bed increases your risk for heart attack or stroke. It is the timing of the day you choose to exercise. I found this alarming and it really is true.. this does not mean you are not fit.
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