Which is more Important – Diet or Exercise?

Well before we dive into that, here are some facts. The way you combine food for meals, snacks and timing is most important when it comes to a healthy diet. And YES, exercise DOES burn calories but if burning FAT is what you want, than you need both a healthy diet and exercise program.

The Importance of Nutrition

Nutrition – When people think of losing weight SO many DIETS come to mind. Maybe we should drink tea and eat grass or maybe we should throw all our bread in a large trash can and burn it. Great news! That is NOT necessary. The fact that we immediately think “diet,” already sets us up for failure. Because putting yourself on a “diet” means that at some point the DIET is going to end and you are going to go back to your old habits that caused you to gain excess body fat in the first place. SO when thinking about having better overall nutrients, especially to get in a healthy body fat percentage, we want think about making some lifestyle changes. Right away, you have already shifted the brain to a more positive space that is goal oriented. Eating food in the right combinations at the right time is really what helps nurture your metabolism. Choosing food that are less processed and closer to their natural state makes it easier for you to maximize your fat loss and overall health of your body. Eating the correct portion sizes at the right times, getting adequate amounts of water and also rest will help you optimize fat loss.

The Importance of Exercise

Exercise – As stated earlier, exercise burns calories. However, you need to exercise in the right way to burn FAT specifically. Intense exercise depletes the oxygen available to the muscles, forcing them to burn fat for energy instead. The body burns calories for hours after the workout ends in order to make up for the resulting oxygen debt. It has been proven that the more muscles we have the more fat we burn. And exercise can help you maintain your weight loss. Studies show that people who lose weight and keep it off over the long term get regular physical activity. So grab some dumbbells and get moving!

Which is More Important – Diet or Exercise?

At the end of the day, you CANNOT out exercise a poor diet. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week. If you drink water, get adequate rest, and most of all recognize that you are doing your best one day a time… you can find your balanced and happy life through diet and exercise. Contact me today to get started on your path to fitness and health.