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[The following is an exact transcript of this podcast.]
Well, here I am on my exercise bike, anticipating the excesses of the holidays. All those cookies and candies and maybe a glass or two of eggnog. At the very least, I figure maybe a few good turns on the exercycle will keep me from snacking before I hit the buffet table.
But a new study from the U.K. suggests that when it comes to suppressing appetite, not all exercise is created equal. The researchers followed 11 male university students as they jogged for an hour on a treadmill or spent 90 minutes lifting weights. And they found that the treadmill workout altered the production of two different hormones that control appetite. Whereas pumping iron only affected one. Which suggests that aerobic exercise is a better appetite suppressant than muscle building.
And the students’ stomachs agreed. Although both workouts curbed the students’ appetities, the run left them even less hungry than the weight lifting, results that appear in the online edition of the American Journal of Physiology.
Lucky for me, it looks like I’m ok with the exercise bike. But don’t worry if dumbbells are your thing. I’m sure lifting weights can also keep you from noshing. As long as you’re holding them while you’re at the party.
—Karen Hopkin
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8 Comments
Add CommentI lift weights all the time and I get extremely hungry afterwards.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am a long distance runner and I often go on 30-40 mile bike rides and I agree with this study. I am never hungry after a long workout. For several hours post-run/bike ride, food is the last thing on my mind.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMargaret Wilson
If running is the principle exercise participated in, it makes evolutionary sense for it to suppress appetite. Lighter= faster+efficient.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDeveloping a greater appetite when the activity involves moving masses external to the body-More Food =muscle weight gain+strength.
The body follows its own evolutionary logic, which makes it a good arbiter in these matters.
Only 11 participants! Not a very scientific survey by my standards.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMalcolm
This is kind of pointless and a very small test group. People who lift weights are trying to gain muscle, so they need to eat after they work out to see any gain. What is the point of this?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think Malcolm is correct. Only 11 people out of 6 billion? Anecdotal evidence among my co-workers shows that after we jog or bike we are more hungry and not less hungry.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisA real study using the scientific method would monitor the number of calories burned each day and compare that with the amount eaten each day. So you make a pig of yourself 5 hours after exercise instead of right away? Big deal! How many calories were consumed each day? The duration of the test would need to track burning of and consumption of calories on days with no work out at all also.
How about some real science?
I agree with Malcom and 'bucketofsquid this wasn't a very thorough scientific study. Only 11 participants and all male.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs a female trailrunner I find that short and moderate (up to 10 miles) distance runs leave me ravenous. Longer runs make me ravenous only after several hours of recovery. Also, I crave specific foods--high quality protein (give me steak!!). My husband on the other hand craves vegetables.
Still, don't forget that appetite is only one part of the equation of weight-loss, or whatever one's goal is. Strength training may end up burning more calories than aerobic exercise because it builds lean muscle tissue, which in turn increases metabolism (muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOn another note: wonder why swimming always leaves me ravenous??