Diet Versus Exercise

Posted by Steven M. Cohen Apr 19, 2008

In a fitness program, which is more important, diet or exercise? That’s kind of a loaded question, as both are important. But, which is more important?

The answer to that question is another question – what are your goals? Exercise, of course, is vitally important for all of us. Without exercise, all of our muscles will slowly atrophy, leaving us weak, inflexible, and prone to injury and illness. On the other hand, a poor diet will leave us either fat (too many calories/fat/sugar) or weak (too few calories, as seen in some “weight loss” programs). The key is to find a happy medium.

So, which is it? Again, the answer is related to one’s goals. If one is looking at general overall health, then diet and exercise are equally important. But if the goal is peak athletic performance then diet, in my opinion, becomes the more important variable. That’s because no matter how hard one exercises, without proper fuel in the form of adequate numbers of calories, proteins and carbohydrates, the body will be unable to repair itself from the “damage” done by exercise. It is the repair process that leaves us stronger.

Similarly, if one is looking to lose weight, or develop a “beach body” for summer, diet is vitally important. One must be careful to stay within the recommended daily amount of calories and protein, in order to promote the fastest possible metabolism and shed excess body fat. If the diet is bad, no amount of exercise will help one look “ripped”. Only “clean” eating habits (no junk food) will give the desire results.