Roger Zoul wrote:
According to a new study, the consequences of quitting exercise may be
greater than previously thought. Results showed that the weight gained
during an exercise hiatus can be tough to shed when exercise is resumed at a
later date.
The study, conducted by Paul Williams of Berkeley Lab's Life Sciences
Division, found that the key to staying trim is to remain active year-round,
year-after-year, and to avoid seasonal and irregular exercise patterns. Most
of all, don't quit. Failure to do so may be a contributing factor in the
nation's obesity epidemic. "The price to pay for quitting exercise is higher
than expected, and this price may be an important factor in the obesity
epidemic affecting Americans," says Williams.
The study should prompt people to think twice before taking a break from
their exercise regimens, despite the pressures of family and work
obligations, or waning motivation.


http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/res...ryarticle=5486


Abstract at:

http://www.ms-se.com/pt/re/msse/abst...htm;jsessionid
=HnYXjwyj38vHv1R7KmcLPJxhr7RQ58tvnRM6NVppJGTM8nQjh MNk!-809317659!
181195629!8091!-1

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Asymmetric Weight Gain and Loss from Increasing and Decreasing Exercise.

BASIC SCIENCES
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 40(2):296-302, February 2008.
WILLIAMS, PAUL T.

Abstract:
Purpose: Although increases and decreases in physical activity are known
to cause weight loss and weight gain, respectively, it is not known
whether the magnitudes of these changes in weight are equal. Unequal
(asymmetric) weight changes could contribute to overall weight gain or
loss among individuals with seasonal or irregular activity.

Methods: Changes in adiposity were compared with the running distances
at baseline and follow-up in men and women whose reported exercise
increased (N = 4632 and 1953, respectively) or decreased (17,280 and
5970, respectively) during 7.7 yr of follow-up.

Results: Per km/week decreases in running distance caused more than four
times greater weight gain between 0 and 8 km/week (slope +/- SE, males:
-0.068 +/- 0.005 kg/meter/meter; females: -0.080 +/- 0.01
kg/meter/meter) than between 32 and 48 km/week (-0.017 +/- 0.002 and
-0.010 +/- 0.005 kg/meter/meter). In contrast, increases in running
distance produced the smallest weight losses between 0 and 8 km/week and
statistically significant weight loss only above 16 km/week. Above 32
km/week (30 kcal/kg) in men and 16 km/week (15 kcal/kg) in women, weight
loss from increasing exercise was equal to or greater than weight gained
from decreasing exercise; otherwise, weight gain exceeded weight loss.

Conclusion: Weight gained because of reductions in weekly exercise below
30 kcal/kg in men and 15 kcal/kg in women may not be reversed by
resuming prior activity. Current IOM guidelines (i.e., maintain total
energy expenditure at 160% of basal) agree with the men's exercise
threshold for symmetric weight change with changing exercise levels.
Asymmetric weight changes below this threshold may contribute to weight
gain among less-active subjects.

(C)2008The American College of Sports Medicine

================== one sentence ========

Keep it up because restarting is so hard.