Ask Lemmy

Of course not! But Google AI's take dovetails with what I've been reading lately.

According to recent research, the idea that we burn roughly the same amount of energy each day regardless of our activity level, often referred to as the "constrained total energy expenditure" theory, is gaining traction, suggesting that our bodies may compensate for increased physical activity by reducing energy expenditure in other areas, potentially limiting the overall calorie burn despite changes in activity levels; however, this is a complex topic with ongoing research and not universally accepted as definitive fact.

The "Exercise Paradox": This concept suggests that even when we exercise more, our body may make adjustments to maintain a relatively stable overall energy expenditure, potentially by reducing energy used in other daily activities like fidgeting or non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT).

Researchers believe that hormonal changes and physiological adaptations could play a role in regulating energy expenditure to maintain a stable baseline.

While the overall trend might be towards a constrained energy expenditure, the degree of compensation can vary significantly between individuals depending on factors like genetics, diet, and activity level.

Not a justification for inactivity: Even if the body compensates to some degree, regular physical activity still offers numerous health benefits beyond just calorie burning, such as improved cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and mental well-being.

Studies investigating this concept often have limitations, including challenges in accurately measuring total energy expenditure and individual variations in activity patterns.

Sounds evolutionary sane. We automatically adjust our metabolism given available calories. Wildly simple take by me, but I get it.