Spring Break
The Daily OrangeToback: Don't feed the hunger of post-gym workouts
By Rebecca Toback
Posted: 9/24/09, 2:55 AM EST Section: Feature
Over the summer I joined a gym and was determined to shed a few pounds before making the trek back north for fall semester. As time went by, I thought that I was being diligent in my efforts, but when it came down to my progress, the scale told a disappointing story.
Then, toward the end of summer, word was released by the media that exercise may not actually help you lose weight. I was intrigued.
I jumped off the elliptical and bought a copy of the Aug. 9 edition of Time magazine to read, "Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin." This was the first information I saw that made me think maybe exercise just isn't cutting it anymore; it certainly wasn't making my abs cut. According to the article, exercise triggers hunger, which, when satisfied, can negate the calories burned during the workout.
"I think that article was based on some truth," said Eliza Decker, the assistant director of Recreation Services at Syracuse University. "Your mindset after you go on the treadmill, though, is what matters. If you think you can go home and eat a bunch of Little Debbies, you aren't going to lose weight by going to the gym."
It's really about knowing that you are going to go to the gym, you are going to burn calories and then the best thing to do is not eat an unhealthy meal when you return home, even if you're hungry. Just because you are hungry does not mean you have to go and eat chocolate and cookies and fettuccini Alfredo. Planning to eat a healthy meal after your workout is the key to dieting success.
"Your mindset really comes into play because you have to realize that the benefits of going to the gym and then eating healthy things outweigh the benefits of going to the gym and eating unhealthy things after," Decker said.
Since muscle weighs more than fat, it is often said that when you are doing strength training you may gain some weight before you lose any. This is possible if you are doing all work with weights and no cardio at the gym, but doing strength training will increase your metabolism, which in turn will make you burn more calories throughout the day.
Then, toward the end of summer, word was released by the media that exercise may not actually help you lose weight. I was intrigued.
I jumped off the elliptical and bought a copy of the Aug. 9 edition of Time magazine to read, "Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin." This was the first information I saw that made me think maybe exercise just isn't cutting it anymore; it certainly wasn't making my abs cut. According to the article, exercise triggers hunger, which, when satisfied, can negate the calories burned during the workout.
"I think that article was based on some truth," said Eliza Decker, the assistant director of Recreation Services at Syracuse University. "Your mindset after you go on the treadmill, though, is what matters. If you think you can go home and eat a bunch of Little Debbies, you aren't going to lose weight by going to the gym."
It's really about knowing that you are going to go to the gym, you are going to burn calories and then the best thing to do is not eat an unhealthy meal when you return home, even if you're hungry. Just because you are hungry does not mean you have to go and eat chocolate and cookies and fettuccini Alfredo. Planning to eat a healthy meal after your workout is the key to dieting success.
"Your mindset really comes into play because you have to realize that the benefits of going to the gym and then eating healthy things outweigh the benefits of going to the gym and eating unhealthy things after," Decker said.
Since muscle weighs more than fat, it is often said that when you are doing strength training you may gain some weight before you lose any. This is possible if you are doing all work with weights and no cardio at the gym, but doing strength training will increase your metabolism, which in turn will make you burn more calories throughout the day.
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