The Healthy Bride

This article appeared in Time Magazine recently. While there is certainly SOME truth, there was almost immediately a response from ACSM (America College of Sports Medicine-below). I enjoy that there is a debate, and agree that telling people exercise will not help in weight loss is irresponsible and disappointing.

Here is the article:

“Do you find that exercising helps you lose weight?

As I write this, tomorrow is Tuesday, which is a cardio day. I’ll spend five minutes warming up on the VersaClimber, a towering machine that requires you to move your arms and legs simultaneously. Then I’ll do 30 minutes on a stair mill. On Wednesday a personal trainer will work me like a farm animal for an hour, sometimes to the point that I am dizzy — an abuse for which I pay as much as I spend on groceries in a week. Thursday is “body wedge” class, which involves another exercise contraption, this one a large foam wedge from which I will push myself up in various hateful ways for an hour. Friday will bring a 5.5-mile run, the extra half-mile my grueling expiation of any gastronomical indulgences during the week. Read complete article”

And now the rebuttal from ACSM:

Dear ACSM members and certified professionals,
Last Friday, an article appeared in Time magazine making statements that we believe run counter to fact and the public interest. The article claimed that exercise, contrary to the research with which we’re all familiar, is not an effective health tool, particularly as it pertains to weight loss.
While an ACSM member and expert was consulted for the story, he agrees that his research and opinions were selectively reported. Among its numerous claims, the story would have us believe that:
• Losing weight matters more than being aerobically fit in preventing heart disease
• One can’t lose weight from exercise because exercise makes you hungrier – and willpower can’t conquer the hunger enough to make good food choices
• Exercising 60 to 90 minutes most days of the week in order to lose weight (a recommendation from an ACSM Position Stand) is unrealistic
• Leisure-time physical activity – just moving around more during the day – is more effective for weight loss than dedicated exercise
• Vigorous exercise depletes energy resources so much that it leads to overeating – i.e., weight gain
Your assistance is needed in getting the right health message out to the public. These suggested talking points will help you dispel myths and confirm the value of exercise to your patients, clients and colleagues.

Also, we encourage you to adapt this letter to the editor and submit it to your local news outlets, helping readers and viewers get the best evidence-based facts and information.

Thank you for your involvement as we continue to increase awareness of the true benefits and advantages of a regular physical activity program.

Sincerely,
The American College of Sports Medicine
401 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202
© 2009 American College of Sports Medicine

Tags: ACSM, exercise for weight loss, exercise vs. diet, Exercise will not make you skinny

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 5:24 am and is filed under Articles about health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.