I'm actually really excited about the research being done in exercise science. The funny thing is, is you Google "fat loss," you are sure to find a million articles on HIIT, tabatas, etc.

There are definitely differences between fat loss and fat accumulation though. I can eat quite a few calories and carbs and not get fat. I can eat very few carbs and lots of fat and not get fat. I can eat a mixture of those levels and not get fat.
In order to LOSE fat, I have to exercise-not a lot, but hard when I do it. For me, it not only creates a calorie deficit, but somehow I think it also helps me process the fat better. All I know is I sure do lose weight when I exercise AND diet compared to just dieting.

Yes, you are right. The exercise is stimulating your metabolism, the metabolism helps metabolise fat. Simple really isn't it.