Probably some combination of genetics, metabolism, eating habits, and activity. One can be physically active without "exercising". (Exercise is physical activity done with the intention of improving fitness or health.)
I must have ruined my metabolism in college running 100+ mile weeks.
I was barely 18.5 BMI at 6’1” 137 lbs for many years since my early twenties. Always ate by hunger to satiety. I’d exercise regularly but that just meant going to the gym and doing random stuff for 20-30 mins like three times a week. Office job. All until a couple years back when I started running and quickly gained 5 lbs and then started weight training and gained 15 more lbs, now at just under 21 BMI. If I stop running and lifting, I’m positive I’d slowly drop weight over time.
It’s genetics and hormones and possibly microbiome, though I’m skeptical of the last one.
I lose weight when I don't exercise. (interestingly, my sweat also smells worse when i don't workout)
I've always figured it was a combination of not being lazy and always up to something, genetics/metabolism, and losing muscle which is heavier and seems to help keep fat away.
I don't think I eat as much as average American guys though. Or I eat helthier foods than are more lean? I used to eat 5000-6000 calories a day when I was training seriously, but when I don't workout I don't have the appetite ,i don't need as much sleep, i lose weight because I have less muscle. It all sort of continues to cycle
They skip meals. The fittest looking person I know only runs about 40 mpw but she often forgets or gets too busy to eat. When I see her eat, its often what appears to be a normal meal.
She also keeps herself busy doing something all the time - no just mellowing out watching shows or whatnot ever.
Wait, she only runs on average six miles every day and she looks fit? How?? 😉
They skip meals. The fittest looking person I know only runs about 40 mpw but she often forgets or gets too busy to eat. When I see her eat, its often what appears to be a normal meal.
She also keeps herself busy doing something all the time - no just mellowing out watching shows or whatnot ever.
Wait, she only runs on average six miles every day and she looks fit? How?? 😉
Another example of the Internet having no relation to reality. 40 miles a week is nothing.😂
In college I was a 130-pound runner that ran a 1500m in 3:45 and a 10,000m in 29:05. I am 41 years old now and weight 165-pounds if I am really watching what I eat but typically weight around 185-pounds. I ran competitively up until a heart attack at 32. Today I don’t run anymore because my knees can’t handle it too many injuries. My workout regimen consists of Stairmaster hit between 1,000 and 1,500 floors a week typically high intensity I can hit 200 Floors in 25 minutes if I am going after it. I also do core workouts Push-Ups, Sit-Ups, Squats, Seated-Dips, and Leg Lifts. I avoid weights for the most part. My diet consists of a large portion of organic foods, minimal red meat unless it is dehydrated just for iron, and I check the fat and cholesterol content of it. I primarily eat a Pescatarian diet and don’t really drink. I have never smoked always thought it was disgusting.
It’s mainly diet. I know a guy who lifts like twice a week and just eats high quality stuff and he’s really lean with a six-pack. He said when he goes on vacation to Italy yearly and eats pizza and gelato a couple times when he’s there he puts on 5-7 lbs, despite walking all day.
When I was having construction done on my house, we had an assortment of laborers around, and I noticed they were all doing the same work but the thin ones weren’t drinking soda and eating bags of chips. Go figure!
Also, I was never skinnier than I was when I was poor and couldn’t afford to go to the breweries and eat tall burgers.
It’s mainly diet. I know a guy who lifts like twice a week and just eats high quality stuff and he’s really lean with a six-pack. He said when he goes on vacation to Italy yearly and eats pizza and gelato a couple times when he’s there he puts on 5-7 lbs, despite walking all day.
When I was having construction done on my house, we had an assortment of laborers around, and I noticed they were all doing the same work but the thin ones weren’t drinking soda and eating bags of chips. Go figure!
Also, I was never skinnier than I was when I was poor and couldn’t afford to go to the breweries and eat tall burgers.
You can eat calories 10x faster than you can burn them via exercise.
It’s mainly diet. I know a guy who lifts like twice a week and just eats high quality stuff and he’s really lean with a six-pack. He said when he goes on vacation to Italy yearly and eats pizza and gelato a couple times when he’s there he puts on 5-7 lbs, despite walking all day.
When I was having construction done on my house, we had an assortment of laborers around, and I noticed they were all doing the same work but the thin ones weren’t drinking soda and eating bags of chips. Go figure!
There’s a cause-effect feedback loop there in that the fat ones have increased basal metabolism, so they are burning more and accordingly feeling hungrier.
It’s a myth that high metabolism is a good thing as, all else being equal, it will just make you feel hungrier. All that matters is the difference between what you burn and how much you eat.
This thread reminds me of a conversation I had with a patient yesterday, who said that he used to eat several Big Macs, fries, and soda at lunch and still would be hungry. Fast food is made with highly palatable ingredients that leads to overeating.
I do wonder if the hormones and antibiotics in meat & dairy cause weight gain. In the olden days, being overweight as a child was rare, but not anymore. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse, but no one can deny that Americans used to be THINNER. So far I've blamed 1) gut biome 2) stress hormones (cortisol) 3) not making your own food 4) hormones and antibiotics in meat & dairy.
anecdotally, I have a friend who goes back to MEXICO to visit. She says she loses 15 pounds when she's there: she thinks it's hormones & antibiotics in meat in the U.S. When she's at home in Mexico, she eats chickens they raise in their backyard. natural chickens.
It’s mainly diet. I know a guy who lifts like twice a week and just eats high quality stuff and he’s really lean with a six-pack. He said when he goes on vacation to Italy yearly and eats pizza and gelato a couple times when he’s there he puts on 5-7 lbs, despite walking all day.
When I was having construction done on my house, we had an assortment of laborers around, and I noticed they were all doing the same work but the thin ones weren’t drinking soda and eating bags of chips. Go figure!
Also, I was never skinnier than I was when I was poor and couldn’t afford to go to the breweries and eat tall burgers.
Ironically running isn't the most efficient way to lose weight. Jeff nippard has some good topics on the subject. I was able to get Leaner using his advice much easier vs running.
. I ran competitively up until a heart attack at 32.
Care to expand upon this? I’m a bit fascinated with how runners suffer heart attacks. Did heart disease run in your family and did you have existing risk factors?
Wait, she only runs on average six miles every day and she looks fit? How?? 😉
Another example of the Internet having no relation to reality. 40 miles a week is nothing.😂
Another example of a LetsRun poster having no grip on reality. 40 mpw is WAY more exercise than 99% of Americans get and a perfectly good explanation for looking very fit, in conjunction with a healthy diet. I know it’s not a lot by competitive runner standards, but you realize that’s irrelevant to the thread, right?
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