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I know. It goes against everything the experts have told us over the past few decades. Exercise more. Eat less. Lose weight. But many have learned with soul-crushing frustration (myself included), it’s not always the case. Like Sherlock Holmes, I decided to solve this riddle, and I think I finally did.

Here’s how it happened…

A few years ago I joined a Zumba class. Three times a week, I strode into that studio, dancing and sweating profusely to J. Lo’s “Get on the Floor” and Ricky Martin’s “La Vida Loca.” I couldn’t wait till I could buy my “skinny clothes” again.

Then a strange thing happened.

Instead of my pants getting looser, they got tighter. I’d look at the scale in despair as the needle edged up. WTH? I thought I was doing everything right. Instead, the opposite was happening.

I also noticed another strange phenomenon. Some of my Zumba teachers (but not all) were a little “heavy” around the middle. I was perplexed. How can you work as hard as they did, year after year in some cases, and not be a string bean?

Then I realized something else.

It wasn’t the Zumba that was luring the weight on. It was what I was doing in-between classes. I was always hungry — especially for high-sugar carbs. I was ravenous for that mid-morning cookie (or two) and that mid-afternoon bowl of ice cream. I told myself all this extra noshing was fine, since I was exercising so strenuously.

Then one terrible morning on the scale, it hit me. Was all this exercise revving my appetite? Did my body crave sugar because it needed energy back that it lost in sweating? Was I eating more calories than expending?

I decided to experiment.

I quit Zumba cold turkey. I never went back. My only exercise became a few gentle yoga stretches each morning. My sugar cravings came down. Within a few months, I lost seven pounds.

Now, I know we’re all wired differently. I know Zumba bunnies that are truly slim and toned. You could bounce a quarter off their butts. I also know people who never exercise and are rail-thin.

Which makes me wonder…is it all individual? Is there no such a thing as a one-size-fits-all fitness plan?

This past year I went on a quest to find that perfect exercise – not so rigorous my body starts craving tons of carbs. But not so light I become a couch potato that never moves. I needed to find middle ground.

So I started paying attention to my appetite. That became the true barometer.

I began a walking regime, about 20-30 minutes daily. Before I knew it, the scale started going up again. I started obsessing over fudge ripple ice cream and chocolate chip brownies. The appetite was revving. I gave up the daily regime. The weight came down.

It soon became apparent that for my odd metabolism, very light exercise is best.

I still do gentle yoga each morning. I love the way it makes me feel both empowered and serene. I also still walk.

The difference is I walk just a little (10-15 minutes) when my body feels like it, usually after lunch or dinner. If it’s a busy, tiring day with lots of movement, I give myself a pass. In the old days, I would’ve still gone to Zumba or taken that stroll. And I would’ve paid for it later with sugar cravings.

I’m happy to say I’m now a few pounds away from my favorite weight (fingers crossed), but it’s a tough, challenging battle. It doesn’t help to be female of a certain age and on the wrong side of the hormonal fence. It’s the perfect storm for weight gain.

But for me, it’s a battle worth fighting. When doing well, my body’s more than just a vehicle. I like feeling strong and in control, something my jittery nature seems to need. I like knowing I’m doing my best.

We all have to find our own formula, which apparently varies. We all have to release our own Sherlock Holmes and solve the riddle of ourselves.

For now, this works. In two years, who knows? All I can do is keep listening to that one true expert I’ve learned to trust… myself.

 

Has anyone else found that “less is more” with exercise? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like to share, feel free! Thank you.

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Comments(38)

  1. I learned years ago that I cannot out-exercise my food consumption. Bummer. I also accepted the fact that the number on the scale has way too much power over my mental and emotional well-being, so I haven’t stood on a scale for years. It’s all determined by the fit of my clothing. . . have a cookie or button those pants?

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Jana, I agree, how clothes fit makes a big difference. Our bodies are very mysterious, especially as we get older. I’m so happy to have figured out a tiny part of it.

  2. It is a myth that exercise is the key to weight loss for many of the reasons you’ve pointed out. Increased hunger and giving yourself permission to eat more are the reasons why. I always overestimate how many calories I’ve worked off when doing vigorous exercise. For me it would take running 5 miles to work off a cookie! So I’m with you, Laurie. I stick with a 20 minute work out called Classical Stretch – it does burn calories but not so much that I’m ravenous. And it is a gentle work out. Also walking is my favorite activity and doesn’t turn on my appetite.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Molly, I’ll have to look into that Classical Stretch. I also love the toning that gentle yoga gives and it doesn’t rev the appetite. Glad I’m not the only one who has come to this conclusion!

  3. Ah, yes. The problem of overworking our appetite. I know this issue. A 30-minute walk results in a 3000 calorie meal because…well…I deserve it. Right?

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Jennifer, I swear, I never gained so much weight then when I was exercising a lot. Never again. If you look at other cultures, especially Asian, they’re very thin and don’t go overboard like we do in America. The body is indeed, fascinating.

  4. I do my exercising in the evening so that although I get hungry, I ignore it in favour of sleep! I exercise to tone up my flabby bits – watching food intake is the losing weight part 😊

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Linda, I agree. Its mostly food. I know people who never exercise, but eat healthy. They’re thin as rails.

    • Helen Martin Block

    • 6 years ago

    Eat zero bread or anything with flour.
    And try not to crack ribs using those special balls designed to lengthen and strengthen. It really does put a crimp in even moderate exercise.
    I think you look fabulous, Laurie.
    Downward Dog!!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Thanks so much, Helen. Completely agree about the white flour. Very bad.

  5. Laurie, I discovered this more exercise = more hunger as well. However, I’m still trying to figure out my weight loss formula! Ugh. It’s a constant midlife battle. I try to work with light weights and circuit training. It’s a mix of cardio and strengthening exercises. Usually between 20-40 min 3 times a week. I admit, I’m not always faithful to it every week. Probably why my formula isn’t working. Lol.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Laurie, It’s definitely a problem, specific to mid-life. I even keep a food journal. I’m interested to see what puts it on and what takes it off. An interesting experiment.

  6. My scale goes up when I excercise (which I do 3-4 times a week at a gym), but that’s ok – my muscle weighs more than my fat. I gave up the scale and use the “jeans test”. If they’re too tight or uncomfortable, I lay off the carbs for a few days. This year was a new menopausal milestone though… even after laying off the carbs, I failed my “jeans test” and just bought a larger size!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Emily, That was my problem. My jeans kept getting tighter and I felt bloated a lot. It all gets so complicated. Sigh.

  7. I always enjoy your posts! I don’t know if you have been nominated before, but I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. There’s information on how to participate on my blog. (www.thinkwriteinspire.com)

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Tomi, You’re so sweet!! Thank you so much. I’ll look into it. Best, Laurie

  8. I think we’re very much the same! I work out more, my cravings for all things chocolate revs up! In 18 months, I had put on 22 pounds! Yikes! So now I’m keeping track of what I eat and keeping the exercise to a happy medium and the weight is coming off! Only a few pounds from my happy place!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Diane, Sounds like a good plan to me. Congratulations!

  9. I don’t have that problem. I mean I need exercise for my mind as well as my body. Sweating makes me feel great and I don’t notice an difference in my appetite. When it comes to those cravings you just need to ignore them or find alternatives. Like if I am craving cookies I have some fruit. It’s obviously the sweetness I want. I also stay away from bread. But every person’s journey is their own and I do agree you need to pay attention to your body. Very well written… as always.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Lauren, Thanks so much. Yes, I’m tempted to try Zumba again, but watch those cravings more carefully. I like the fruit idea.

    • Sue

    • 4 years ago

    Man, our bodies are fascinating! After beating a 40-year-long eating disorder, I’m navigating new terrain. Not having the obsession part anymore is a huge help. But I definitely find that the more active I am, the hungrier I feel, and it shows on my body. For the past month or so, I’ve been doing a LOT of landscaping (we had a big tree fall, which became mulch, which I am spreading everywhere!). Definitely hungrier!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Sue, It can be such a tricky balance. Good for you, doing all that landscaping! Exercise and the outdoors all in one.

  10. I only gain weight from eating. 😉

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Carol, Ain’t it the truth.

  11. Really struggling with this now. I hit my ‘happy place’ goal a couple of years ago, then seemed to have lost focus. Now it’s to do all over again. Sigh.
    How do you lose 100 pounds? Lose the same 10 pounds 10 times. Ugh.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Diane, It doesn’t help getting older. Besides walking and yoga, I try and watch what I eat. My afternoon snacking sweet tooth doesn’t help!

  12. In most things, knowledge is power. In this, I admit my issues but acting on knowledge is hard! LOL

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, Knowledge is power, indeed!

  13. It’s actually true. You can gain more weight from exercising because it makes you hungry. However, the good outweighs the bad in cardio health and other factors. The key is to watch how much you eat. I found that My Fitness Pal, which is free, works well. You can even scan the foods you eat on it.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Rebecca, I’ve learned to find a good balance between not over-exercising, but not under either. Somehow it works.

  14. I know what the problem is. You step on the scale too often!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Tom, Laughing. You’re probably right!

  15. I was puzzled as I approached 50 on why I was gaining weight when everything in my life was the same. My doctors were no help. They said I was less active. Not true. I did research and found that as people age, their metabolism slows down 10 percent a decade. What works for me is to walk 20 minutes a day in the spring, summer, and fall and ride my stationary bicycle in the winter.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Rita, I find a daily walk (about 15 minutes) and a few minutes of yoga everyday seem to be the sweet spot. Sounds similar to your routine.

  16. The more you work out, the more calories you need. The key would have been finding that sweet spot of out and in. But it looks like you found that sweet spot of movement that works for you.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Jennifer, I think I found the balance, but when I do tons of cardio my appetite for sweets goes through the roof!

  17. I gave up intensive exercise routines a couple years ago. Time consuming, exhausting, not enough results. I still exercise regularly, but don’t berate myself when I miss days. My goal – not to gain weight. I do admit when I exercise my body feels better.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Meryl, I’m with you. Just stay healthy.

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