Experts Discuss Time Magazine's Recent Opinion on Exercise

A month or so ago, an article in Time questioned the value of exercise. The article, entitled, "Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin," went so far as to say that high levels of exercise may actually contribute to the weight problem here in the United States. The author of that Time article stated that exercise can stimulate hunger, causing us to eat more and negate the weight-losing effects of the exercise we did to lose the weight in the first place.

In an article entitled, "Experts weigh in after 'Time' questions value of exercise," Canada.com brings some reactions from experts to the table to show why this article is most likely misleading. First we get American College of Sports Medicine researcher John Jakicic, who states, "It is clear in this regard that physical activity is one of the most important behavioural factors in enhancing weight loss maintenance and improving long-term weight loss outcomes." Cedric X. Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise, debunked the claim that exercise brings upon a stronger feeling of hunger.

The simple truth of the matter is clear. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume, and exercise is one of the best way to burn calories, according to the article. However, the article also states, "Exercise is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that has generated a number of financial spinoffs, including cover articles designed to sell magazines." Ouch, that must sting a little bit. Whatever the case and whoever is right or wrong in this issue, it's impossible to say that exercise doesn't have a beneficial effect on the mind and the body.