Is there any real evidence to the whole metabolism vs. weight issue?

[Cuckoorex]

Let me clarify something I alluded to earlier regarding exercise being the key for my weight loss…I’m not talking about eating junk food and having exercise somehow nullify bad nutrition. I mean that, given the same reasonably healthy diet, (a typical dinner would consist of steamed broccoli, roasted chicken breasts, lowfat cottage cheese, and water or diet soda), my weight loss would quickly plateau and not budge for months at a time unless I added exercise. Diet alone wasn’t really doing it for me, not any kind of diet that I could maintain for any appreciable length of time.

[amarinth]

*Originally posted by Athena *
**Diet, on the other hand, makes a big difference. The last time I lost a significant amount of weight, I didn’t exercise at all through most of it. Of course, I find exercising MUCH easier than watching my diet. I like eating too much. Figures, eh? **

I’m exactly the same way. Exercise seemingly does nothing as far as weightloss, bodyfat, inches lost, etc. But calorie restriction (with or without exercise) works.

Sadly - exercise is a lot easier to start and stick with than eating less.

[In_Conceivable]

*Originally posted by Athena *
**Funny - I’m the exact opposite. Granted, I’m not obese (I could stand to lose, at most, 20 pounds. Much more than that and I’d be too skinny IMO). Exercise alone does nothing for me, weight-wise. I found this out for certain a couple years ago, when I went on a very strict exercise regime. Cardio and weightlifting 6 days a week, for 45-90 minutes each time (I worked up to the 90 minute mark). I did this faithfully for six weeks, and weighed and measured myself at the beginning and the end. I didn’t change my diet. Results? I weighed the same at the beginning and the end. My measurements (bust, hips, waist, thighs, etc.) were the same as well. Damn!

Diet, on the other hand, makes a big difference. The last time I lost a significant amount of weight, I didn’t exercise at all through most of it. Of course, I find exercising MUCH easier than watching my diet. I like eating too much. Figures, eh? **

I am not saying that you shouldn’t do what works for you. But, six weeks isn’t very long to stick to an exercise program. You need to stick with it for at least three months to see significant changes.

[Athena]

*Originally posted by In Conceivable *
**I am not saying that you shouldn’t do what works for you. But, six weeks isn’t very long to stick to an exercise program. You need to stick with it for at least three months to see significant changes. **

That was just an experiment. On average, I work out 3-5 times a week and have for several years now. I just wanted to see what would happen if I worked out 6 days a week for a decent period of time.

Let me reiterate - I’m not particularly looking for hints on diet and exercise. I know what to do to lose weight and get in shape if I need to. I was more interested in finding some studies about the whole metabolism thing.