Dr. Oz, Gary Taubes and Exercise

Cover of Good Calories, Bad Calories

I was on Jimmy Moore’s Facebook page and blog where I learned of science writer and author of the books; Good Calories, Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat: and what to do about it, among other books, was recently on the Dr. Oz show.

Since I work when the show airs, I watched the online version of the show.

The show was interesting and  I thought Gary held his own and made his points in the allotted time.  I am sure it was edited for broadcast to fit the time frame, so I am willing to bet that we missed quite a bit.  I did find Dr. Mehmet Oz to be closed minded and really out of his league when discussing low carbohydrate eating.  I will post more bout this at a later time when I have a chance to view the episode again.

What concerned me was the on-line exclusive discussion concerning exercise.  Gary Taubes is correct; you do not need to incorporate exercise to lose weight.  I will not dispute this fact.  If an obese person follows a low carbohydrate eating plan — that person will lose weight.  No and, if or buts about it.

However, is that really the best way to accomplish the goal?

More importantly, should weight loss be the only goal?

Tthe answer to both questions is a resounding no!

In my book, in columns that I have written and interviews I have given; I am fond of saying that weight loss is a side effect of fitness.  Not because fitness is the way to lose weight, but because the goal is not weight loss — the actual goal is improved physical fitness.

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I can’t tell you how many times I am asked about lose skin from losing over one hundred pounds or how can one maintain their weight loss and the big one;  I thought once I lost weight I would feel better, but I don’t.

The answer to all of the above is exercise.  The problem is the general view of what exactly is exercise.

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Most of what Dr. Oz said was incorrect.  The pacing, the type and even his overall statements were factually and practically off the mark.

Exercise must contain both progressive resistance and endurance exercise.  People must stop thinking aerobic or cardiovascular exercise.  Those terms limit the scope of thought, the type of exercise and of course, the results.

Gary Taubes made the comment that exercising will actually cause a person to eat more by “Working up an appetite.”

To those of us who exercise regularly and follow a low carb eating plan, we can attest that we may have an increase in hunger.  However, since low carb eating doesn’t concern itself with overall quantity of food, this is not a big deal.  That mindset should only apply to those that follow calorie restricted diets.

The other factor is that when one follow an exercise program that incorporates both progressive resistance training and endurance exercises, that person will actually crave the foods that will promote muscle repair in the form of proteins which will actually assist in  fat loss.

My concern about Mr. Taubes so adamantly opposing exercise is that it will just give the lazy an excuse not to exercise.  Without exercise, one limits their overall enjoyment of life.

As I have said before;  weight loss and fitness are not about living longer; they are about living better.

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Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book; Fat Then Fit Now;  A life beyond wight loss.

He is available to speak at no charge to any school or any youth group. He will make himself available to any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Lisa Davis’ Your health radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast.

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Related Articles

• Gary Taubes is Correct and Wrong Concering Exercise. (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Gary Taubes Treated Fairly In Radio Interview On ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ (liberationwellnessblog.com)
• 20-Year Low-Carb Dieter Finds Zero Plaque Buildup In Her Arteries (liberationwellnessblog.com)