80% diet 20% exercise?

kieran9810

I see this saying a lot and I'm just wondering is there truth behind it? Just curious as to how it came about/what evidence is to prove it.

tquill

I completely agree, if anything, I would consider 80% low. They're both extremely important in my opinion, but exercise is near-worthless without the diet.

You can't out train a bad diet. Consider how few calories you burn working out... vs how many calories multiple bad meals in a day could add.

Ninkyou

Calorie deficit (diet) = Weight loss
Exercise = Fitness

That's pretty much it. You'll also hear "Abs are made in the Kitchen" .... it's pretty much the same saying. You lose weight by maintaining a calorie deficit. Exercise is for the extra health benefits and fitness levels.

KeithAngilly

Agree with it being too low...I am thinking 100 percent diet. Exercise is definitely a plus, though!

R_Calvillo

I was 220 lbs on 01/01/2014 this morning 02/28/2014 I weigh 207 lbs. I've worked out 3 times in that time. So I would say there's something to it.

cpusmc

after 25+ years of working out and about 6 years of paying strict attention to my diet and seeing the results from both, those numbers for me are closer to 90/10 if not higher.

Karabobarra

I think more like 90% diet, 10% exercise.... I was having a hard time getting any exercise in but didn't gain any weight until I allowed myself to get lax on the diet, even when I started exercising again I didn't start losing the weight until I got my diet back under control.

Not only that but I find my workouts are more beneficial when I have the proper nutrition in me, I swear when I have bad food in me my whole body just lags and I feel like a sloth.

crapiburnedmywaffles

My first time with my diet i lost 60 pounds but never exercised, i just ate right. But as soon as I came off my diet I gained 15 pounds. Adding exercise everyday and still eating right i managed to lose that weight again plus extra. I say both are important, maybe 70% diet and 30% exercise.

itsfruitcake

Absolutely. It kind of doesn't make sense because you would think if you exercise and continue to eat at a "normal" level, you create a deficit anyway - but that just doesn't seem to work for weight loss.

I'm the best example that even consistent workouts (including weights and HIIT) over several months don't achieve much if your diet is crap (or fluctuates between good and crap as in my case).

Exercise has tons of other benefits though (general fitness, mental health...), and I would think that in order to look super fit and toned, you'll need a good amount of exercise, too. So... do add some exercise you enjoy into the mix, but focus on your diet.

bajoyba

I would say it's more like 100% diet, but you get a lot of extra credit for exercise.