Diet versus exercise

Should you skimp on calories or hit the gym to lose weight? The truth might surprise you.
May 5, 2009 | By: The Health Local Staff

It doesn’t matter how much weight you want to lose – you’ve probably heard the same advice over and over again: eat less and move more. And while that’s really great advice, which one is more important when it comes to losing weight?

The truth is that both are very important, but if you want to lose weight, you need to examine your diet. As dietitian and athlete Alexis Williams says in “The running/weight loss illusion” right here on Health Local, if you want to lose weight and body fat, you must put your body in a calorie deficit – in other words, you need to consume fewer calories in a day.  The best way to do that is to cut approximately 500 calories per day – which would allow you to lose one pound a week safely.

That doesn’t mean exercise can’t help. There’s no denying vigorous exercise burns calories; it’s just that many of us underestimate the number of calories we are consuming and overestimate the amount we are burning. Yes, going for a run for an hour is going to burn a lot of calories – a 150 lb. person could burn approximately 600 calories. But a Tim Horton’s large Ice Capp and a Honey Cruller also equal about 600 calories – just one treat and you’ve undone all that calorie burning you just did.

So which should you focus on? The answer is actually both. A healthy diet high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean proteins is by far the best way to lose weight, particularly if you cut out refined sugars, fat and salt. But don’t forget that regular exercise helps increase lean muscle mass, prevent illnesses (like diabetes and heart disease) and allows you to better manage your stress levels (which will hopefully stop you from overeating).

A sensible weight loss program will both help you restrict your caloric intake, focus on making healthy food choices and encourage daily physical activity. That’s the real key to safe, lasting weight loss.