Last year I ran over 1400 miles which is probably more than a large majority of the general population. On January 1st, I 
weighed 195 pounds. A year later on December 31st, I weighed 196 pounds. It seems all that joggling I did had no effect on my weight.
This is a bit surprising to me, however, according to this article in the New York Times about exercise and weight loss, it shouldn’t be. It turns out that “an overwhelming body of research shows (few people) achieve significant weight loss with exercise alone, not without changing their eating habits.”
In their study, they tested athletes for the “afterburn” effect. This is a phenomena that people commonly believe helps athletes burn calories even after they stop exercising. The exercising supposedly revs up their bodies making them bun additional body fat throughout the day.
But the “afterburn” effect doesn’t exist.
They could find no evidence of fat burning on days when they exercised.
So, the reason I didn’t lose weight after running and juggling 1400+ miles is because I ate enough calories to replace all the ones I burned.
However, my joggling hasn’t been in vain. Even if it doesn’t lead directly to weight loss, it does have benefits on my heart, blood pressure, and overall mood. And of course, it should help in my goal to live until I’m 107.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/noggin_nogged/485304838/
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
You all ran a similar amount the previous year, so to compare your weight at the beginning and end of the year isn’t fair. How much would you weigh if you hadn’t run at all? You may not be burning fat and calories when you aren’t exercising, but it does seem like it helps speed up your metabolism.
@Phil – an excellent point. These types of “scientific” studies are inherently questionable because it is so difficult to control things.
If I didn’t exercise, I suspect I would be pushing 250 lbs.
Yeah, Perry I am sure that your joggling had an impact on your weight-you would be a lot heavier if you didn’t joggle I suspect. But, diet is the more powerful of the two factors of exercise and diet that affect weight, along with other factors.
I am practicing and very interested in NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenisis) as a way to burn calories. Standing more often, moving around, doing manual labor, dancing, and just moving instead of sitting like a sloth. You can burn up to 350-500 extra calories a day with NEAT activities. Multiply that by 365 days, and divide by 3500 which is how many calories it takes to lose a pound and you got some nice weight loss or control. I think juggling a lot gives you both NEAT and exercise, depending on the intensity. Our obesity levels would be lessened if everyone used time throughout their day to increase their daily NEAT.
@Joe – I had never heard of NEAT but that sounds like a great idea!
http://weight-loss-methods.suite101.com/article.cfm/what-is-non-exercise-activity-thermogenesis-neat
Yeah, NEAT plays a crucial role in excess weight gain. Get moving more throughout the day is the main idea, which makes a lot of sense.
I am increase my NEAT activity, and I’ve always seemed to prefer moving instead of staying static. I can do both, but my focus and energy is better when I am moving and energetically engaged.
Love the picture, Perry. Knotted handkerchief on head, drinking a pint of beer while juggling 3 knives – could only be a Brit!