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Is diet or exercise more important to weight loss?


Have you ever wondered what is more important for driving pronounced weight loss— diet or exercise? Well, almost all of us have had this question at some point in time, and while reading about this, you must have come across: 80% diet and 20% exercise is what can help you in weight loss. The importance of diet has always been stressed upon, but many of us continue to underestimate its power in facilitating fat and weight loss. 

Diet and exercise go hand-in-hand, and one without the other, will hardly have any impact on your body. The right diet and the right exercises are an ideal combination for weight loss. The fundamental rule of weight loss is never to starve yourself— this will help you reach your fitness goals faster. You need to reduce your calorie intake responsibly and gradually, in a way that will reduce your weight in the best way possible, without any adverse effects. 

What role does diet play in weight loss 

Exercise alone cannot help in significant weight loss 
Studies suggest how exercise alone will not end up showing good results, if not coupled with a proper diet. Our eating habits can end up negating the good that can come out of our exercise regime, which is why it becomes important to have a balanced meal. Our subconscious eating and munching habits also become a hurdle to our weight loss journey. This happens when we don’t have a well-planned diet program in place. It can easily counteract the benefits of the most strenuous of exercises. 

Exercising increases your appetite 

Physical exertion increases your appetite and metabolism. When you workout, you end up spending a lot of your energy, which makes you feel more hungry. In such a situation, if you consume the right food and diet, you can avoid putting on weight. But if you don’t pay attention to your diet, you might end up eating more after a rigorous workout session, as opposed to the quantity you would have otherwise eaten. 

When you adhere to a rigid calorie intake, you can avoid unnecessary snacking and allow exercise to work well on you. The right diet optimises the impact of your exercise and helps you lose weight. Feeling hungry is inevitable when you are aiming to lose weight, but always remember that you need to regulate your meals to be able to change your dietary habits. 

Increased physical activity does not always counter weight gain 
You might be spending hours in the gym, working out to the best of your capacity, and still seeing no results. This is probably because you have not incorporated the right diet in your weight loss program. Exercise without the right diet can have an adverse impact on your health. 

Monitoring the nutritional value of whatever snack or meal you are consuming goes a long way in ensuring a health weight loss. You need to regulate the amount of saturated fat and sugar, and even red meat, that you consume. This will not only help you lose weight but will improve your overall health and boost the impact of exercise that you do. 

Food is the fuel source that drives exercise

Sometimes, we are not able to understand the relationship that exists between exercise and food. Diet is the key driver that enables us to workout. Energy and nutrients, along with the right calorie intake, allow you to exercise better as it gives you just the strength you need. It is not possible to exercise effectively without the right nutrients in your body. For instance, bananas and lean white meat are sources of natural energy and can help you lose weight consistently. 

What role does exercise play in weight loss

Aerobic exercise helps in weight loss as it gets your heart pumping
Some form of aerobic or cardiovascular exercise, at least three times a week is recommended for weight loss. With just 15 minutes of moderate exercise, you can end up burning 100 extra calories. Be it walking, jogging, swimming, cycling or even dancing, aerobic exercise can help you lose fat. 

Weight training can help burn calories 
The biggest advantage of weight training is that you will build muscles, along with shedding those few extra kilos. Fitness experts recommend working out all muscle groups at least three times a week. 

Incorporating exercise in your lifestyle promotes overall well-being

Exercise keeps diseases at bay and helps you build immunity. Staying fit is a prerequisite to losing weight. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy body weight and decrease your chances of cardiovascular diseases. It also keeps in check your mental well-being.

For more information on the role that exercise and diet have in how you lose weight check out My Home Personal Trainer.

Is diet or exercise more important to weight loss?
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Is diet or exercise more important to weight loss?

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