Food, Not Exercise, Is the Key to Weight Loss
What did Bob Harper say about diet vs. exercise?
Celebrity trainer Bob Harper said the magic words: "It is all about your diet," Harper said during a break from filming Season 15 of the long-running U.S. show The Biggest Loser. "I used to think a long time ago that you can beat everything you eat out of you and it's just absolutely not the case."
Bob Harper is a trainer on the show The Biggest Loser. He has been shown to push contestants out of their comfort zone and train harder — yet even he admits exercise alone won't do it.
Why is diet the key to weight loss?
For the simple reason that weight loss happens when you create a calorie deficit. Even if you do a high-intensity workout for an hour, you will end up burning 400–600 calories depending on your weight, age, and intensity. You eat a slice of pizza, and boom — 300 calories are added in less than five minutes. It is physically impossible to burn large amounts of calories, but very easy to consume them.
What actually works?
Portion control is the key. You can have the chocolate cake you've been craving — but have it in moderation. Cut back sharply on refined carbohydrates and sugar. Complex carbohydrates are great foods — they give the energy that is a must for everyone.
Weight loss is not magic — all you have to do is create a calorie deficit. Things that really help: maintaining a diary of the foods you eat. With so many apps around, this has become easier than ever — MyFitnessPal, for instance, has tons of Indian food in its database, making tracking easier.
Ayurveda has long approached weight from the same direction — food first. Triphala, the classic three-fruit Ayurvedic blend, is traditionally used to support healthy digestion, which is where any lasting change begins.
Should you still exercise?
Absolutely. Exercise has many benefits, whether weight loss occurs or not. You will build stamina, your joints will thank you — it will be a step towards a fitter you. And it's a fact that people who add exercise to their diet are the ones who can keep the weight off for years to come. Exercise will also make you stronger, so say a big "YES" to exercise whether you are trying to lose weight or not.
Remember, weight is just a number — keep moving and eating the right stuff in the right portions, and weight loss will follow.
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