Exercise does not help lose weight, says award-winning epidemiologist

There are infinite workout regimes on the internet that claim to help you lose weight. But what if we tell you that none of them work? From fitness gurus to wellness experts, until now, you must have heard people raving about how exercise can help you lose weight. However, Tim Spector, an award-winning British epidemiologist and expert on gut health, diet, and microbiomes, challenges that idea. Yes, you read it right. According to him, no data proves that exercise can help you lose weight.

Exercise and weight loss

“Long-term studies show it doesn't help weight loss and it's been grossly exaggerated as an easy fix for our obesity problem,” Tim Spector says. So, exercise cannot help in weight loss? “No, all the studies show that,” he shared in a podcast with Steve Bartlett.

Spector explains that exercise will work only in preventing weight gain. “The only caveat to that is if you have changed your diet, improved your diet, and you've lost some weight, maintaining some exercise does help prevent it going back up again,” he says.

Fitness gurus are lying if they advise eating anything you want and only focusing on the workout. “I think that's a huge myth, particularly perpetuated by gyms and fitness apps and everything else. And it is complete nonsense.”

Significance of diet

One of the most significant factors that helps weight loss is diet; however, it is often overlooked. “But as on its own, if you don't change your diet, it's of no use. And that's well known now by all the obesity experts and all the studies,” Spector said. A nutritious and balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are crucial for fueling the body and also for weight loss. Calorie deficit is another significant factor that has been shown to help reduce weight. Exercise alone won’t give you weight loss.

Is sugar the culprit

Sugar is often referred to as the villain when it comes to weight loss. When Spector was asked if sugar contributes to weight gain, he added, “No, again, that's reductionism.”

He also explained why exercise alone won’t give you any results, in terms of weight loss: “When you go for a walk, you build up hunger before a meal. That's what your parents told you. And everything about exercise is after it, your body slows down, your metabolism slows down, and it tries to regain the energy that you've lost. That's just our evolution. It's great for your health. I exercise, fantastic for your mood. It's great for your heart, anti-cancer, and all kinds of things. We should all do it. But absolutely not if your goal is weight loss.”

If you are wondering what to do to shed a few pounds, Spector suggests, “You have to do something about changing your diet.”