Diet vs Exercise: Suppose you like running and fast food. Maybe you watch your diet during the week but indulge on weekends. You may have snacks and drinks at home, thinking exercise keeps you fit.
Eating without gaining weight is tempting, especially if you’ll burn off the calories later. Experts say you can’t fix a bad diet with exercise.
You can be sick while looking healthy. This fat is known as “skinny fat.” Regular exercise may not reduce fat significantly. You may have hidden fat around organs, making it less visible.
Dr. Carriker warns hidden fat is riskier. Eating too many processed foods with sugar, salt, and carbs can cause sickness and weight gain.
For example, it can harden and narrow arteries, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Improper diet can cause premature death, even with regular exercise. Studies suggest that not considering diet while exercising increases the risk of sudden death compared to those who exercise and eat healthily.
To lose weight, consume fewer calories than you burn. Losing weight is hard with a high calorie and fat intake. Most people can’t exercise as much as required.
Working out more can make up for it. But it won’t help if you continue consuming fast food and sugary drinks. These foods are high in calories but low in nutrients. You’ll feel hungry without sufficient vitamins, protein, and carbs.
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Low-calorie foods can affect your workout performance, even if you go to the gym. They give energy at first but won’t last for a long or intense workout. Calories can become fat if not burned off through exercise.
Even with strength training, a bad diet can still harm you. To build muscle, eat protein-rich foods like chicken and salmon.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to give up all your favourite foods to stay fit. Instead of labelling food as “good” or “bad,” see it as fuel for your body. If you’ve met your daily fibre goal, add protein, good carbs, or omega-3s. This improves well-being and changes the perspective on food.
Our Reader’s Queries
Is diet more effective than exercise?
According to Dr., diet is more effective than physical activity when it comes to weight loss. He explains that cutting down on calories can create a better energy deficit than trying to burn off excess weight through physical activity alone. While it may take a significant amount of physical activity to see results, reducing calorie intake can be a more efficient way to shed pounds. However, once you’ve achieved your desired weight, it’s important to maintain healthy habits to keep the weight off.
What happens if you eat healthy but don’t exercise?
Simply eating healthy may not guarantee weight loss. The key to shedding those extra pounds lies in maintaining a balance between the calories you consume and the calories you burn through exercise. A healthy diet is undoubtedly important, but it’s not the only factor that determines your weight. So, if you’re looking to lose weight, it’s essential to focus on both healthy eating habits and regular physical activity.
What is the 80 20 rule diet?
The 80/20 rule is a simple yet effective way to maintain a healthy diet. It suggests that you should consume nutritious foods 80% of the time and indulge in your favorite treats for the remaining 20%. To achieve the 80% goal, prioritize drinking plenty of water and consuming wholesome foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. By following this approach, you can easily maintain a balanced and healthy diet without depriving yourself of the occasional indulgence.
Can you lose weight just by exercising and not dieting?
According to recent research, exercise alone may not be sufficient for weight loss. This is because our bodies can reach a plateau where working out more does not necessarily result in burning extra calories. This finding challenges the common obesity prevention strategy of increasing daily physical activity as a means of shedding pounds. It is important to consider other factors such as diet and lifestyle changes in addition to exercise for effective weight loss.