Can you really outrun a bad diet?
This is a question I’ve been asked a few times and while exercise is important for maintaining our overall health, the impact exercise can have is limited if changes are not made to a bad diet, especially if you are trying to lose weight.
There is a mentality out there that “I can eat what I want as long I exercise” but unfortunately this isn’t true. There has been a lot of research and studies done regarding this and while exercise is an important tool in reducing the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and other health conditions, it isn’t enough when it comes to losing weight or staying healthy.
Not only does exercise burn off only a small fraction of the calories we consume (less than 10-30 percent), the quality of the calories we consume will impact our quality of exercise. A calorie may be a calorie, at least from a thermodynamic standpoint but not all calories are created equal. Different foods have different effects on various processes in our body regardless of calorie content. For example, if you eat 10 calories of chocolate it won’t have the same nutritional value or effect on the body as 10 calories of fruit would.
Studies have reported that diets high in protein and low in carbohydrate or a combination of the two do yield greater weight loss than diets with other levels of fat, protein and carbs. Ref The New England Journal Of Medicine Study.
For optimal health, you need to combine exercise with a nutrient-rich diet. So if weight loss is your goal its worth paying attention to what you put into your body. A diet rich in fiber, protein and unprocessed carbohydrates derived from fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean animal or plant protein foods, and healthy fats is crucial.
Let’s be clear though that the role of exercise in a healthy lifestyle should not be underestimated. Not only will exercise help you build and maintain strong muscles and bones, it give us more energy, alleviates stress, helps with weight loss and most importantly it improves our mental health. Problems arise when we believe that exercise is the be-all and end-all.
So to answer the question asked; No you cannot outrun a bad diet. But regular exercise and good nutrition is the most effective way to reduce the risk of diet-related disease, optimise strength, and maximise weight loss.
So next time you’re nose deep in a pint of ice cream remember running for an hour on a treadmill is not going to magically “dissolve” those calories. Let’s just enjoy the ice cream in moderation alongside a nutritional diet and exercise we enjoy!
If you’ve enjoyed this little read or are looking for some guidance with your exercise and nutrition, send a message and let me know!
