“let us bust the myth of physical activity and obesity. You cannot outrun a bad diet”

[Cosmocat]

21. This is not completely accurate

My personal struggle in my life has been with my weight.

Despite being very physically active, I was obese in my youth because I was a gorge eater who had not been educated properly on the balance of fat, carbohydrates and protein.

Once I went to college and my access to food was a lot more limited, I was able to lose weight. I also started running several days a week regularly. While I played basketball and other sports recreationally, running is the most efficient calorie burn.

I went through a period where I focused on limiting the fat in my diet. This helped me to control my weight mostly, but in retrospect I lived a life where I suffered greatly from energy swings because of an excess of carbs.

I visited a nutritionist about five years ago and she helped me to refocus on good proteins and recognize that refined sugars were my BIG enemy (outside of deep fried fats).

I still am heavier than I should be, but in overall good health because I have had mostly limited my fat intake over my life while maintaining a regular regime of running and working out.

The problem with this complete dismissal of physical activity and absolute focus on diet is the assumption that everyone's metabolism is the same, that everyone can just have discipline in what they eat, it is as simple as that.

NOW, as some have noted, portion control is absolutely a vital component.

But, people are just different. I am a pretty disciplined person, but whatever it is about my body, I NEED to eat. A bit of it is because of my excercise, but I also have tension that is relieved by eating.

Many people don't have to worry about it, but to MANY people, there is something about eating that is bigger than they are. It is sort of like an addiction, but you can cold turkey not use drugs ever again. You HAVE to eat. No coke addict could every stay straight if they HAD to use it three times a day, they would binge like nuts.

Excercice or phsyical activity helps to burn some calories. It also serves to clean your head a bit, to relieve tensions that lead to nervous or habit eating. It also keeps you busy, and if you are physically doing things you aren't eating. Finally, it does help to regular your metabolism. You do have to eat more at times to replenish your body, but it just keeps your body humming at a little higher rate. AND, it keeps you healthier overall.

It is not one OR the other.

It is BOTH. For people who have not been blessed to not have to struggle with their weight, the more active you are, the better you can work to control your weight.

But, again, this complete dismissal of excercise and physical activity REALLY overlooks that there are many, MANY people who have struggles with this that are greater than just having "discipline."