With all the confusing messages about diet, exercise and weight loss, you might be wondering to yourself what really works.
Ralph La Forge from Duke University Medical Center put together a detailed look at the various things that change the effect of exercise on weight loss.
He refuted the popular belief that since a pound (.45kg) of fat (when burned) gives off 3,500 calories, and since running or walking a mile (1.6km) burns 100 calories; a person should lose one pound for every 35 miles (56.3km) he or she walks or runs. This is untrue because if you weigh less than 154 pounds (70kg), you burn fewer calories; if you weigh more than 154 you burn more.
PHOTO: AFP
To add to the confusion, if you walk or run on a treadmill, your body burns about 10 to 15 percent fewer calories than the machine says you are burning because the machine itself helps you move.
But exercise is still very important. When you diet without exercising, you lose both muscle and fat, which is counterproductive. Muscle loss significantly lowers your basic metabolic rate, which is the number of calories your body uses at rest.
Activities that work against gravity — aerobic activities like running, cross-country skiing, dancing, skating and stair-climbing — use more calories at a particular level of effort than swimming, cycling or water aerobics. Also, skilled exercisers burn fewer calories than unskilled ones who make unnecessary movements or have to work harder at the activity, because they use more calories an hour than those who exercise efficiently.
(New York Times, news service)
有關節食、運動和瘦身的資訊讓人眼花撩亂，你可能會想，到底怎麼做才有效？
杜克大學醫學中心的羅夫．拉弗吉詳盡檢視各項會影響運動瘦身的因素。
他駁斥一般大眾的認知，以為既然燃燒一磅（零點四五公斤）的脂肪會釋放三千五百大卡，而跑步或步行一英里（一點六公里）燃燒一百卡路里，一個人每跑步或步行三十五英里（五十六點三公里）應該就會瘦一磅才對。這並非事實，假如你的體重低於一百五十四磅（七十公斤），所燃燒的卡路里會較少，若高於一百五十四磅則燃燒較多卡路里。
除此之外，如果你在跑步機上步行或跑步，身體燃燒的脂肪也會比機器所顯示的數字少大約10%至15%，因為機器本身會協助你動作。
但是運動仍然很重要。當你只靠節食而不運動，會同時減到肌肉和脂肪，造成反效果。減掉肌肉會明顯降低你的基礎代謝率，也就是身體在靜態時所消耗的卡路里。
反咫O的有氧運動，如跑步、越野滑雪、跳舞、溜冰和爬樓梯，就某個程度來說，比游泳、騎單車或水中有氧消耗更多卡路里。而且，有技巧的健身者會比沒技巧的健身者燃燒更少的卡路里，因為後者在運動中會做出不必要的動作，或更費勁地運動，以致每小時燃燒的卡路里較前者多。
（紐約時報╱翻譯︰鄭湘儀）
Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park is a great example of how art can be combined with environmental conservation. __1__ on the ocean floor of the Caribbean Sea, this aquatic gallery was the brainchild of British sculptor and ecologist Jason deCaires Taylor in 2006. The park features sculptures that function as man-made coral reefs, with holes and shelters to attract marine life, thus forming a strikingly beautiful __2__. The sculptures are placed in a way that diverts visitors from nearby natural reefs. This creative approach to ecological preservation demonstrates how art can inspire, educate, and contribute to the sustainability of our environment. The
Online retailer eBay has scrapped fees for private sellers across almost all of its categories as it attempts to keep fast-growing rivals such as Depop and Vinted at arm’s length. The move means eBay’s UK sellers no longer have to pay transaction fees, except for cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. In April this year, eBay removed fees for private sellers of pre-owned clothes, and the company said it was “now evolving the experience even further.” The site said ditching seller fees for fashion had already led to a double-digit increase in listings for popular items such as jeans, shirts and dresses, while at
City life moves fast, and escalators are a lifesaver for busy commuters. __1__ It is widely believed that this practice keeps traffic flowing smoothly and avoids congestion. While on the road, drivers of slower vehicles are required to remain within the outside lane so that those traveling at faster speeds may pass in the inside lane. Similar to traffic lanes that separate vehicles driving at different speeds, this convention on escalators allows for both efficiency and courtesy. __2__ This system reflects an unspoken understanding that facilitates shared use of the space. However, the city of Nagoya, Japan, has
Primarily one destination: the National Palace Museum in Taipei. Today, the cultural landscape has evolved, with the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum presenting a compelling alternative. Strategically located in Chiayi County, the museum park is more than just a cultural center. It’s a significant part of a campaign to balance regional development in Taiwan. Its establishment has made invaluable historical artifacts accessible to a broader audience outside northern Taiwan, promoting the even distribution of cultural resources. By attracting tourists from all over, this initiative also boosts local economic growth. To offer visitors rich cultural experiences, the
RSS