Does it even make sense to go to the gym if you don't have a healthy diet?

jjpptt2

Icy_Fox wrote: »

So why do they say you should not eat sugar lifting weights? Is it any different when trying to gain muscles with body weight?

Dunno. If I had to guess, I'd say they were trying to sell you some low-sugar diet plan/book.

Icy_Fox

I guess this is a big missconception then, but between my friends thaz DO go to the gym, I always hear them talking how they can't eat sugar, but they have one "cheat day" a week where they eat anything they want

jjpptt2

Icy_Fox wrote: »

I guess this is a big missconception then, but between my friends thaz DO go to the gym, I always hear them talking how they can't eat sugar, but they have one "cheat day" a week where they eat anything they want

Does it make sense to you that it's ok to eat sugar, but only sometimes, on certain days? Logically, does that make sense to you?

It's kinda like saying, "I want to save money for a car... but I can only save clean, crisp, new dollar bills. Except on Thursdays... Thursdays I can save old wrinkled bills, coins, whatever I have in my pockets."

collectingblues

Icy_Fox wrote: »

hesn92 wrote: »

One doesn’t have to do with the other. Just because you don’t eat “healthy” doesn’t mean you have to just resign to being unhealthy in every other aspect of your life. Exercise has many benefits. And I also would think your definition of “unhealthy” may need to be re-evaluated. I eat ice cream and cookies and chips and I would consider my overall diet pretty healthy and I go to the gym.

I didn't mean exercise in general, I meant as in lifting weights. Should have formed it differently I guess.

What's the difference?

You build strength and fitness in the gym, and weight loss in the kitchen. As long as you get "enough" protein, the rest doesn't matter -- and I'd argue that even "enough" varies by person to person. And even if you don't, it's not like you're lifting just for *kitten* and giggles.

diannethegeek

Icy_Fox wrote: »

I guess this is a big missconception then, but between my friends thaz DO go to the gym, I always hear them talking how they can't eat sugar, but they have one "cheat day" a week where they eat anything they want

You will find that there are a lot of people at the gym who succeed in spite of what they do rather than because of it. Those people, unfortunately, often proclaim that their way is the best way or the only way that works.

If someone wants to gain muscle, they need a progressive lifting plan, a surplus in calories, enough protein, and patience. Sugar won't inhibit that. Carbs won't inhibit it. Lifting during a full moon won't inhibit it.

If someone wants to increase their physical fitness then exercise will get them there faster than a low sugar diet.

If someone wants to lose weight, they need a calorie deficit. Full stop. Period. That's it. Exercise would probably be good for their health, but it isn't necessary. How they get their calorie deficit and what they like to eat is personal preference.

There is a lot of nonsense floating around in the diet industry and it sounds like your friends may have bought into a lot of it.

collectingblues

Icy_Fox wrote: »

I guess this is a big missconception then, but between my friends thaz DO go to the gym, I always hear them talking how they can't eat sugar, but they have one "cheat day" a week where they eat anything they want

Because broscience. Do your friends who go to the gym have any background in nutrition, or do they just parrot what they've heard other bros say?

CSARdiver

These are such nebulous terms you need to be specific with the diet and goals. I'm off a cut and focusing on endurance and gaining muscle, so eating in surplus and eating what would generally be considered "unhealthy". I keep a bag of Skittles in my pocket to stay fueled on long runs. I eat a bag of chips afterwards to get loaded on carbs and sodium. I'm midseason in obstacle course races and need the energy to perform.

If these people are anti-sugar then this is an un-related element and one not founded in objective evidence. Woo, bro-science, whatever is being peddled now.

kshama2001

Here's the Broscience guy on meal prep. (Language is NSFW)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn-KDTxTWqI

kbmnurse1

Why bother? Continue on your journey. Let us know how that works for you down the road.

nowine4me

Carmen060 wrote: »

Definitely yes. There are health benefits to exercise that are independent of weight loss!!

These benefits don’t only happen in a gym either. There are looks of ways to exercise in the great outdoors.

VUA21

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Sure. Why not?

Exercise for health.

"Diet" (calorie deficit) for weight loss.

^^^^^ This!!!!!

I do cardio for cardiovascular health and endurance, I lift to build strength. I have also been known to "refuel" with a McDouble. Having food that is less nutritious doesn't magically erase the health benefits from exercise.

sijomial

Icy_Fox wrote: »

I guess this is a big missconception then, but between my friends thaz DO go to the gym, I always hear them talking how they can't eat sugar, but they have one "cheat day" a week where they eat anything they want

Your friends sound rather sad and extremely ignorant.

Poisonedpawn78

AnvilHead wrote: »

it's like discussing how long a piece of string is.

not long enough!

mkculs

Of course it is worth it. Exercise and poor diet is better than no exercise and poor diet. Besides, a diet with too much sugar might still be full of good nitration otherwise. Also the transition to a good diet might be easier if one already has healthy habits like regular exercise.

jennifer_417

Of course it does. Everything helps.