Which is more important to lose weight… Exercise or diet?

Every year, tens of millions of people try to lose weight. And there are thousands of different diets and weight loss information. Most people fail because they try to lose weight with diet or exercise alone, instead of opting for a long-term healthy lifestyle. People who choose to diet only manage to keep their weight down for, on average, 5 years. Those who are trying to reduce their weight by exercising alone are almost never successful. A complete lifestyle change is the only healthy way to lose weight permanently. * *Why doesn’t diet alone work? When you follow the latest trends and start a diet that promises rapid weight loss in a short period of time, you are starving the body. These diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies, headaches, muscle cramps, constipation, sleeping problems, and loss of bone density. When your body doesn’t get all the nutrients it needs, your energy levels drop and it makes it very difficult to stick to the diet. In the end, you will most likely find yourself in a restaurant buying a large burger and fries. * So what happens if you just exercise? Running, for example, is a great way to burn calories. You can burn around 300 calories with a 30-minute run (depending on gender, weight and speed). But it’s very easy to replace those calories with just a slice of pizza for lunch. Which you can feel you deserve after your morning workout. Exercising twice as long does not lead to twice the weight loss. Once your body gets used to your exercise routine, it will resist releasing extra calories, and instead uses your existing energy, leaving you feeling exhausted and hungry after your workout. While exercise is important, its benefits are more for overall health than weight loss. Changing your lifestyle is the answer! Exercise: Follow an exercise program that includes cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, and stretching. *Meal Plan: A meal plan that works for your neighbor might not work for you. Seek professional help to create your own long-term diet plan. Sleep: Not getting enough sleep slows down your metabolism and makes you crave high-calorie foods. Support: The support of your family, friends or a close group is very important to help you stick to the plan and eventually change your life. People who lose weight with a lifestyle change are more likely to keep the weight off longer. It also has a positive effect on general health. If you want more information about healthy eating plans, click here.