Diet vs Sports : Which Works Better for Weight Loss?
Having an ideal weight and healthy body is something that everyone strives for. While there are many approaches to achieving those goals, the general way of how the human body works is based on two main things : diet and exercise. Sounds simple enough right? But what if you want to get into the specifics? Which one matters more – diet or exercise? Read on to find out.
The Truth About Weight Loss
To understand body weight, we first have to understand calories. Simply put, your weight depends on the number of calories you consume, how many of those calories you store and how many you burn up.
If you can consistently burn all of the calories you consume in the course of a day, you will be able to maintain your weight. Whereas, excess calories are stored throughout your body as fat. The calorie equation is one of the most basic ways to ensure your weight balance, besides of course other factors such as genetic or environment influences.
Based on that logic, the key to weight loss is taking in less calories than you burn. Calorie deficit or the act of limiting calorie intake has been beneficial in many weight loss journeys with experts stating that the 80/20 rule can be applied consistently. It is the formula for shedding weight which depends for 80% on a healthy diet and where exercise only contributes to 20%.
Understanding the 80/20 Rule in Diet & Exercise
The reason why 80% of weight loss maintenance is so much more effective than exercise is because physical activity can only do so much in cutting down calories. As an illustration, 30 minutes of running burns between 280-520 calories, while a serving of cooked hamburger has roughly the same calorie count. Can you imagine having to run every 30 minutes to burn up a meal?
Experts have also confirmed that it is possible to lose weight alone although exercise is a vital component. The primary reason why you shouldn’t abandon working out altogether is because it offers a range of healthy benefits, from lowering your cholesterol, improving mood and sleep quality to reducing stress level. But as a tool to weight loss, probably not always as effective as one would think.
As such, if you want to maintain or lose weight, diet is crucial. The actual trick to achieving weight loss is to reach a negative energy balance i.e consuming less calories than you burn. The best way to do so is by building your lifestyle towards a healthy eating habit. Rather than eating less in portion, aim to eat more natural and unprocessed or minimally processed food in standard portion to win the calorie calculator. This way, you are left with a more fulfilled and satisfied feeling throughout the day.
Bottom Line:
A combination of diet and exercise is best at any stage of weight loss. But keep in mind that weight loss happens when you prioritize on what you eat, rather than constant physical exercise. The 80/20 rule is a great way to start, so start eating smart today and complement with your favorite activity to help you get fit, healthy and strong!
