Some say that 'too much' exercise makes you ADD fat.
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This happens because when you exercise too much, your body goes into a more extreme physical stress response. This can cause your cortisol levels to remain high.
Cortisol, also known as “the stress hormone,” is secreted by your adrenal glands and is involved in a variety of important physical functions, including:
* Metabolizing glucose
* Regulating your blood pressure
* Releasing insulin for blood sugar maintenance
* Your immune function
* The inflammatory response
However, when your cortisol level is chronically elevated – which can happen if you exercise too much -- it stimulates your body to store fat and not build muscle."
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/07/04/Truth...
Plus if you exercise and burn say, 100 calories, and then EAT more say 300 calories, then you'll gain weight. Take for example, a morning jog. IF you eat first and then go jogging and then eat some more you'll add to your weight.
Those following the current Dax programme of exercising three times a day in effect are engaged in short bursts of exercise i.e. HIIT (high intensity interval training) which does seem the most effective exercise to lose weight.
However relaxation 'exercises' also help a lot as (same site as before)
"Researchers have found that all body fat is not created equal, and that holds especially true for belly fat. Abdominal fat has a very rich blood supply and has four times more cortisol receptors than other body fat. Cortisol is a stress hormone, produced by your adrenal glands in response to stress, but sleeping too little (less than six hours) or too much (more than eight hours) also results in an excess production of cortisol. The cortisol belly fat connection comes into play when you are under chronic stress, as cortisol tends to store unused fat that has been released by your body in the stress response. Since your belly fat contains large amounts of cortisol receptors, you may tend to gain fat in the abdominal region when you’re chronically stressed or have trouble sleeping properly. "
I have two views on exercise programmes:
1. They should be varied so your body does not get used to types of exercise. Thus walking, running, weights, bodyweight, swimming etc - the key is
variety.
2. Bodyweight exercises are probably the most effective as once learned, no equipment is needed and thus there is never an excuse not to do them!
What do others think?