The Battle of Exercise vs. Diet
The battle rages on - what’s more important: diet or exercise?
Can you focus on just one of those things and meet your goals?
The short answer: NOPE.
Here’s a practical look at the right and wrong way to create a balanced focus between diet and exercise:
Both of these women, Exercise Eileen and Nutrition Nancy - are trying to lose weight. Both understand a calorie deficit is key, but they have two very different approaches:
Exercise Eileen:
Focus is on creating a deficit through exercise
Trains hard 6-7 days a week in an attempt to out-train caloric intake
Eats healthy most of the time, doesn’t track calories
Justifies not tracking calories by working out every day
Binge drinks on the weekends; in denial in regard to its effect on weight loss
High stress/cortisol levels because of lack of recovery and alcohol intake
High stress levels and impaired sleep - further compounding the problem
Nutrition Nancy:
Focus is on creating a deficit through diet
Trains hard 3-4 days a week to build muscle and change body shape - not to create a deficit
Diligently tracks calories, at least for a period of time to learn what portion sizes look like and what her body needs
Enjoys small/moderate amounts of alcohol but plans it into her daily calories
Manages stress by prioritizing rest days, recovery and 7-9 hours of sleep most nights