Sit ups.

[Diekan]

I read a few articles that have claimed that sit ups don't do anything to actually burn fat (nor do crunches) because you don't do them long enough to actually the fat (you burn the carbs, but don't tap into the fat).

Sit ups is something that I never really *studied* per say. But they were pretty interesting aticles.

Apparently, (if you're over weight) working your abs can actually make you look fatter... because you build the muscle, which then pushes the top fat layer out even more. I don't have a gut, so I continue to do abs every other day just to keep the tone.

Was wondering if any of you have read something similar.

[Zormito]

For cardio to be effective, usually you need to keep it up for at least 20 min... so unless you do 20 straight minutes of sit ups, it's not the most effective form of cardio. Any exercise will burn fat, depends of the effectiveness of the exercise.

I've read some stuff about making you look fatter... but those articles were more refering to oblique exercises.

My thoughts on it, people need to stop worrying on how fat they look and start doing exercise for the sake of being healthy.

[liquidstayce]

I read a few articles that have claimed that sit ups don't do anything to actually burn fat (nor do crunches) because you don't do them long enough to actually the fat (you burn the carbs, but don't tap into the fat).

Sit ups is something that I never really *studied* per say. But they were pretty interesting aticles.

Apparently, (if you're over weight) working your abs can actually make you look fatter... because you build the muscle, which then pushes the top fat layer out even more. I don't have a gut, so I continue to do abs every other day just to keep the tone.

Was wondering if any of you have read something similar.

I agree with the articles and have read the same. Just doing situps isn't going to help unless you add in regular cardio exercise that elevates your heart over 20 minutes. For some people that means even starting at 10 minutes at first and doing intervals.

Building more muscle = burns more calories so in the long run if you are overweight and also working on your diet building muscle at the same time all over is very good. Building core strength (situps, crunches, back exercises) is funadmental to overall health, balance, and most importantly functional strength. It should be a key component to any exercise program.

[leah]

My thoughts on it, people need to stop worrying on how fat they look and start doing exercise for the sake of being healthy.

well said.

unfortunately there's so damn much emphasis on appearance anymore that people have terribly skewed motives for doing things.

[veeneedefeesh]

My thoughts on it, people need to stop worrying on how fat they look and start doing exercise for the sake of being healthy

will being healthy get you laid? looking good will, sex=great motivator

besides, you cant look in the mirror and say "boy I certainly look healthy"; there is no way to get any feedback on how you are healthy wise, you can look in the mirror and say, "Wow that four inches off my waist really helps!". "Healthy" is a bit of an illusion anyways, the doctors tell you that you need to become more healthy, but they usually want to sell you some pills to do it. Personal trainers will tell you the same thing, but they want to sell you "dietary suppliments" How many people have you heard of who had a heart attack while jogging or while excersizing, I can think of a few off hand. When it is your time, it is your time "being Healthy" isnt going to change that one iota. Being UN healthy can hasten your death, but jogging 37 miles a day wont extend your life one minute.

Now the reason that most folks excersize is much more selfish. They do it to keep off the vanity pounds, they do it because they feel better afterwards, they do it because they like wearing smaller clothing, they do it because summer is coming and they want to wear a bikini to the beach, they do it to attract attention from the opposite sex, the list probably goes on from there.

[Harrison]

My thoughts on it, people need to stop worrying on how fat they look and start doing exercise for the sake of being healthy

will being healthy get you laid? looking good will, sex=great motivator

besides, you cant look in the mirror and say "boy I certainly look healthy"; there is no way to get any feedback on how you are healthy wise, you can look in the mirror and say, "Wow that four inches off my waist really helps!". "Healthy" is a bit of an illusion anyways, the doctors tell you that you need to become more healthy, but they usually want to sell you some pills to do it. Personal trainers will tell you the same thing, but they want to sell you "dietary suppliments" How many people have you heard of who had a heart attack while jogging or while excersizing, I can think of a few off hand. When it is your time, it is your time "being Healthy" isnt going to change that one iota. Being UN healthy can hasten your death, but jogging 37 miles a day wont extend your life one minute.

Now the reason that most folks excersize is much more selfish. They do it to keep off the vanity pounds, they do it because they feel better afterwards, they do it because they like wearing smaller clothing, they do it because summer is coming and they want to wear a bikini to the beach, they do it to attract attention from the opposite sex, the list probably goes on from there.

While I agree with your second paragraph...I completely disagree with your first one about being healthy doesn't extend your life.

[leah]

but don't you at least agree how superficial that is? being healthy should be the benefit, and looking good should be icing on the cake.

also: before someone else jumps in and accuses me of it, OF COURSE i also subscribe the the superficial side of things. i'm just level-headed enough to realize that that's not the way it should be.

[Harrison]

I excercise to feel good and be able to do physical activity without hacking up a lung, I don't give two shits about what I look like ^_^