You can tell it's post-lottery, pre-marathon time in New York City when two noticeable things happen: you see a lot more people on the treadmills at the gym, wearing brand new running clothes, and the Times begins running more articles about health and exercise.
Anyway, this article has been on the most emailed list all week, and it's been bouncing around my friend's facebook pages, as well. In short: exercise does burn calories, but because it's often coupled with an increase in appetite and therefore food consumption, it is ineffective as a weight-loss tool on its own. It is effective as a weight maintenance tool, however.
One thing that the article touches on only tangentially is something I've noticed with myself: when I'm running regularly, I don't crave fatty, bad-for-me foods. This isn't as simple as not wanting to negate my workout by eating crap; it's more of a subconscious desire to fuel my body with good foods.
Apropos of nothing, I'm running home from work today. The Karhus are in my gym bag, next to my industrial office floor. I have two choices: beautiful path along the river that will be about 5.5m, or direct route up through city streets that is about 4.2m. It will be a game time decision. I just hope it's still lovely out by the time I leave here.