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Diet vs Exercise - Which is more important and why?

RashadLavelle

I used to think that it's 80% diet and the rest is exercise, but I'm starting to lean more towards, exercise being more important than diet. We all know that the SAD diet is the worse, that's a given. But many people are reaching their goals and reversing diseases from multiple types of diets and even fad diets. Honestly I believe that exercise is more beneficial than find a perfect diet, because there is no perfect diet. While most people can't seem to agree of which diet is the best, I think we can all agree that we need more activity in our lives. Your thoughts?

Replies

SnifterPug

I have had a struggle with too much weight since my teens. The typical diet, lose weight, go back to old habits, put even more on, rinse repeat. I also was the kid who was rubbish at team sports and school PE lessons were hell on earth. So I thought exercise was not for me. I liked swimming but not enough to go to the trouble of getting to a pool every day or even once a week. Or month. Or year...

The key for me was finding a love of exercise quite unexpectedly. That finally drove me to attend to my diet so I could do more exercise. I've exercised my way out of a somewhat dodgy knee and improved a lung condition no end. I discovered through lockdown just how important exercise is to my mental wellbeing. At the start there were days when I just couldn't be bothered. On those days I noticed I felt much worse as the day went on. So I forced myself to do it daily and found that five minutes in everything started to seem better. I won't lie - lockdown has been very mentally taxing for me and some days I would be in tears when starting the workout, but start it I did.

heybales

Interesting focus on the topic - which was left open ended.

I scanned through and there were a few comments of another focus but not that many and brief.

Diet or exercise for mental & emotional well-being, which has bigger impact on you, and what nuances discovered?

heybales

Considering I commented with honeybadger I can't seem to do diet without the exercise - I've not really been able to separate the effects.

So I'm out for comparison.

But I will comment that merely the effect of having time during a workout to think about things without distractions (biking without music, usually running without too), I think about priorities and projects, helps greatly.
Of course sometimes it's what is going to be missed because I'm doing the workout, but still.

lemurcat2

heybales wrote: »

Considering I commented with honeybadger I can't seem to do diet without the exercise - I've not really been able to separate the effects.

So I'm out for comparison.

But I will comment that merely the effect of having time during a workout to think about things without distractions (biking without music, usually running without too), I think about priorities and projects, helps greatly.
Of course sometimes it's what is going to be missed because I'm doing the workout, but still.

I think I may have said this already upthread, but I also have a lot of trouble with diet outside of exercise (other than for a short period of time), and I think a huge part of that is that exercise is important for my mental well-being, as well as my focus, my ability to prioritize.

NovusDies

heybales wrote: »

Interesting focus on the topic - which was left open ended.

I scanned through and there were a few comments of another focus but not that many and brief.

Diet or exercise for mental & emotional well-being, which has bigger impact on you, and what nuances discovered?

My transformation (mental and physical) began at 100 percent diet and zero percent exercise. As I have lost weight and added exercise the percentages have been moving from one bucket to the other. I still have a few pounds to lose but exercise is now the primary driver. From a mental standpoint, exercise tests me and when I pass, it proves capabilities that I might not have otherwise be sure I had or recaptured.

But it can still be a very much day by day question too. I think I am most bolstered by the biggest win of the day. For some time that has been exercise. In a highly food tempting time of year with a little SAD thrown in from the short days sometimes getting that -50 to +50 calorie number at the end of the day is the bigger win.

heybales

NovusDies wrote: »

heybales wrote: »

Interesting focus on the topic - which was left open ended.

I scanned through and there were a few comments of another focus but not that many and brief.

Diet or exercise for mental & emotional well-being, which has bigger impact on you, and what nuances discovered?

From a mental standpoint, exercise tests me and when I pass, it proves capabilities that I might not have otherwise be sure I had or recaptured.

... sometimes getting that -50 to +50 calorie number at the end of the day is the bigger win.

Hmmm, I guess on reflection it does feel good to have hit the numbers - especially if there were temptations.

It's so hard for me to feel like that is the same type of reward in overcoming whatever.

Probably the age-old problem if when it's here and now and in your face, usually physical - it's easier to put an importance on it.
When the effects are delayed and future and not so material right now - harder to keep that importance.

Very strange, I can do it with finances though, and other things sometimes. (though the desire to better air seal and insulate the new place for future savings hasn't inspired beyond buying material)

Oh the fickle mind.

Ikeeptrying2

A sustainable balance of both to make it work long term.

'Sustainable balance' can only be defined by the individual.

Ignoring mental and emotional well being in the overall mix is a mistake.

AnnPT77

Ikeeptrying2 wrote: »

A sustainable balance of both to make it work long term.

'Sustainable balance' can only be defined by the individual.

Ignoring mental and emotional well being in the overall mix is a mistake.

MFP is kind of a weird place to me sometimes, for reasons you hint at. I know it's because of the main topics the site is oriented around: They're what we discuss, of course.

Still, so many discussions would make it seem like exercise, calories, and maybe nutrition are The Meaning of Life, or all that's needed for health or well-being. So many other things involved in health, but especially can be important for balance and quality of life: Knowledge (history, math, science, whatever), practical skills, psychological well being, creativity, cognitive ability, social skills, family . . . .

On the one hand, I know it's not unusual for people to be mono-obsessed. It's possibly even required for succeeding with some goals (thinking of professional musicians, elite athletes, etc.) Still, I worry about some of the people in threads where someone is figuring out how to fit multiple hours of exercise into their day, now that they've gotten their eating to some point of adequacy or perceived perfection.

Balance. Yup.

musicfan68

Getting back on the actual topic of discussion. My mother has had multiple strokes, to the point where she is on a walker and it is difficult for her to move. She has high blood pressure, diabetes, COPD, AFIB, and is very obese. For her, most of her issues would be greatly improved if she would eat better, and less. Maybe not the COPD, but everything else comes back to a bad diet. She has these things, then sits and eats a whole bowl of caramels and isn't hungry to eat the healthier chicken and vegetables for supper. Even if sweets aren't available to her, she eats way too much, period. So for her, and I think for most, so many things can be at the very least, made so much better by a better diet. Had she changed her diet 15 years ago and lost weight, she probably wouldn't be in the state she is in right now.

Ikeeptrying2

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Ikeeptrying2 wrote: »

A sustainable balance of both to make it work long term.

'Sustainable balance' can only be defined by the individual.

Ignoring mental and emotional well being in the overall mix is a mistake.

MFP is kind of a weird place to me sometimes, for reasons you hint at. I know it's because of the main topics the site is oriented around: They're what we discuss, of course.

Still, so many discussions would make it seem like exercise, calories, and maybe nutrition are The Meaning of Life, or all that's needed for health or well-being. So many other things involved in health, but especially can be important for balance and quality of life: Knowledge (history, math, science, whatever), practical skills, psychological well being, creativity, cognitive ability, social skills, family . . . .

On the one hand, I know it's not unusual for people to be mono-obsessed. It's possibly even required for succeeding with some goals (thinking of professional musicians, elite athletes, etc.) Still, I worry about some of the people in threads where someone is figuring out how to fit multiple hours of exercise into their day, now that they've gotten their eating to some point of adequacy or perceived perfection.

Balance. Yup.

Having been on/off MFP over the last 6+ years... I can't agree with you more.

Perhaps it's those that are relatively new comers to the process that struggle with the balance. To be honest, at first I did as well. Thankfully it didn't take me too long to realize that the path I was on was more destructive than beneficial.

This is the risk of being obsessed chasing a number on a scale or particular body shape/condition/look. I see it here often and I now shy away from those threads since I often get ignored. Eventually people figure it out for themselves or they end up abandoning the process altogether.

heybales

I think balance plays out for the person in how they normally handle things.

You can make diet & exercise like a hobby - something you enjoy doing, and you may focus on that hobby greatly initially until it has become easier to do.
Then it can become 1 of several hobbies, at various levels of focus depending on what's going on.

But some people have few hobbies - so when this is it - this is really it big time.
But then they get bored or other reasons move on to other hobbies, maybe even a cyclical thing, just time to do the other things.
Like hobby of golf during nice weather.
Or researching and then going on a vacations.
Or making youtube videos.

Of course sometimes other things come up in life that require many things to be put on hold or reduced - caring for family members, or an estate, or terrible illness and getting it diagnosed and treated.

Biking is a hobby for me, working on bikes is enjoyed, research about it when time. Diet supports that hobby.
I was wondering if I could consider health a hobby - but I don't track blood pressure like I could, or eat like I should more often - so I don't think over health is for me. Probably be smart to figure out how to make it one that I enjoy doing.
But I enjoy pushing myself running too, I know it better for the the bones, weight bearing and all. Enjoy pushing limits with lifting. Swimming when able.
Enjoy the gadgets, can call that a light hobby that I'll delve into infrequently.
Backpacking and camping for winter hobby, but only 3 trips work out so not much.
Some reading and research as hobby.

I do agree that many we see on MFP, especially in the next few weeks - are making diet and exercise a project. But not really a hobby.
Meaning they'll delve in to it by reading every good and bad thing on the internet, and make wholesale changes, and deal with it for some amount of time.
But not like a hobby they enjoy, and when the project is done, or rather for the majority they don't think it can be done - they stop to some degree or completely.
Some will complete the project. This year. And because it's not a hobby they enjoy but a project they disliked, they'll be doing the project again next year!

Balance with some other hobbies so useful.
My mom still does Scrabble by herself daily because she liked it, and read it was good for the brain.
Love the idea of making time for history, science, other reading, being creative, expanding practical skills. (or using them to finish other projects, ugh)

rosebarnalice

For me, it's a chicken and egg thing, but I'd give the slight edge to exercise.

Why? Because when I am swimming regularly, I feel like an athlete in training (okay, so a schlubby old lady athlete--but it feels athletic to ME!). That athlete in training tends to be MUCH more mindful about what she eats, because she wants to be ready for the next swim, and she also tends to LIKE being in her own skin.

When I'm not swimming regularly, I feel just like the schlubby old lady (without the "athlete"), and that poor gal hates her body and doesn't give a flip about what she puts in her mouth.

Dogmom1978

heybales wrote: »

I think balance plays out for the person in how they normally handle things.

You can make diet & exercise like a hobby - something you enjoy doing, and you may focus on that hobby greatly initially until it has become easier to do.
Then it can become 1 of several hobbies, at various levels of focus depending on what's going on.

But some people have few hobbies - so when this is it - this is really it big time.
But then they get bored or other reasons move on to other hobbies, maybe even a cyclical thing, just time to do the other things.
Like hobby of golf during nice weather.
Or researching and then going on a vacations.
Or making youtube videos.

Of course sometimes other things come up in life that require many things to be put on hold or reduced - caring for family members, or an estate, or terrible illness and getting it diagnosed and treated.

Biking is a hobby for me, working on bikes is enjoyed, research about it when time. Diet supports that hobby.
I was wondering if I could consider health a hobby - but I don't track blood pressure like I could, or eat like I should more often - so I don't think over health is for me. Probably be smart to figure out how to make it one that I enjoy doing.
But I enjoy pushing myself running too, I know it better for the the bones, weight bearing and all. Enjoy pushing limits with lifting. Swimming when able.
Enjoy the gadgets, can call that a light hobby that I'll delve into infrequently.
Backpacking and camping for winter hobby, but only 3 trips work out so not much.
Some reading and research as hobby.

I do agree that many we see on MFP, especially in the next few weeks - are making diet and exercise a project. But not really a hobby.
Meaning they'll delve in to it by reading every good and bad thing on the internet, and make wholesale changes, and deal with it for some amount of time.
But not like a hobby they enjoy, and when the project is done, or rather for the majority they don't think it can be done - they stop to some degree or completely.
Some will complete the project. This year. And because it's not a hobby they enjoy but a project they disliked, they'll be doing the project again next year!

Balance with some other hobbies so useful.
My mom still does Scrabble by herself daily because she liked it, and read it was good for the brain.
Love the idea of making time for history, science, other reading, being creative, expanding practical skills. (or using them to finish other projects, ugh)

^^^

I don’t know if hobby is the word I would choose. More like activity I enjoy, but that’s just semantics.

I used to treat losing weight as a project with an end. And I was a human yo yo for over a decade (maybe decades).

Then I found that I enjoy lifting and various forms of cardio (hiking, dog walks, rowing, even the evil step mill 😜).

I want to be in shape to do those things which means losing weight so that I can enjoy my exercise even more.

However, I think many of the people who start every January haven’t found anything about losing weight or exercising that they truly enjoy and that’s why so few stick with it long term.

brettchasteen

they both equal the same. attained goal. one without the other isn't useless but less effective.
You cant build a race car and fill it with cheap gas and expect high performance just like racing fuel in my 4 cylinder is a waste of money.
You want to perform like a race car, fuel properly.

Speakeasy76

AS much as I'd like it to be exercise, I think in the end diet is more important not only for weight loss but overall health and well-being. YOu can be active throughout the day and not even do formal "exercise," and that can be enough. However, exercise is something that has always been pretty easy for me to keep up with once I start, whereas diet hasn't been (but I think is now, finally). Having said that, being active and doing things for cardiovascular health and strength are also important for overall health, too.

J72FIT

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

I don’t know if hobby is the word I would choose. More like activity I enjoy, but that’s just semantics.

Lol, isn't that the definition of hobby...?

Fuzzipeg

As far as health/weight is concerned, for me achieving better even a good nights sleep really helps, especially after the trials, concerns and things we all have had and continue to go on around us. How one achieves a good nights sleep is a very personal thing though.

Recently I've been hearing several scientists saying, poor sleeping quality/habits can predispose one to eating, on average 200 calories more in a day than one actually needs. Until I re-found my personal balance, I'd have thought my 100g of wall or Brazil or cashew nuts, even for the good oils or selenium and protein would have been way more than 200c

Dogmom1978

J72FIT wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

I don’t know if hobby is the word I would choose. More like activity I enjoy, but that’s just semantics.

Lol, isn't that the definition of hobby...?

I consider “hobby” more of arts and crafts, music, sports. I don’t consider exercising a hobby even though I enjoy it because with my hobbies, if I can’t fit them into my day, no big deal. But with exercise (weight lifting in particular) its a priority and I HAVE to work it into my schedule. As adults, we tend to let hobbies slide because of adult responsibilities.

If you can consider it a hobby and still do it consistently, great, but I definitely do not have much time for my hobbies, so I CANT consider it a hobby or it will get put off while I focus on all the things that I have to do as an adult that aren’t optional. Hobby=optional for me. Health=priority

J72FIT

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

J72FIT wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

I don’t know if hobby is the word I would choose. More like activity I enjoy, but that’s just semantics.

Lol, isn't that the definition of hobby...?

I consider “hobby” more of arts and crafts, music, sports. I don’t consider exercising a hobby even though I enjoy it because with my hobbies, if I can’t fit them into my day, no big deal. But with exercise (weight lifting in particular) its a priority and I HAVE to work it into my schedule. As adults, we tend to let hobbies slide because of adult responsibilities.

If you can consider it a hobby and still do it consistently, great, but I definitely do not have much time for my hobbies, so I CANT consider it a hobby or it will get put off while I focus on all the things that I have to do as an adult that aren’t optional. Hobby=optional for me. Health=priority

Do you have any activities (physical) that you enjoy in and of themselves? Example, for me it's jumprope. When I engage, I am not thinking health and fitness but instead a skill I would like to get better at.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971

For me weight loss is part of the entire package of getting to be the person I want to be for the second half of my life. I may need to pause it until I feel safe going to the gym again, but that's a postponement, not an abandonment. I feel so much better now that I really look forward to losing the rest of the excess.

I don't have a choice about focusing on health, but in my case it is more mental health for all three of us than strictly physical. Physical goes with it, but as all three of us have big mental health issues, it's more important that I get my girlfriend in the habit of waking up at the same time every day to take her meds than it is that I get her to start a running habit. (Which is not happening; she has a ruptured disc and severe sciatica.) Similarly, it's more important that my boyfriend do his mental health therapy exercises and work through his PTSD than it is that he lose that last 20 pounds. Given that he has kyphosis, he'll have a lot less pain when he's at a good weight for his height, but him being able to sleep through the night without screaming nightmares is a higher priority now.

And mental health is why I'm taking a break from actively trying to lose; I need some time to catch up to myself, and get comfortable in a body that's five sizes smaller. When my anxiety stops trying to get in the way, I'll get on with it. I'm just logging to keep an eye on things so I don't gain again.

After all, for me, getting down to a stable low weight is a prerequisite for a couple other hobbies; I'm not going to start sewing historical clothing for either historybounding or reenacting until I am about the size I intend to be. Losing even a little weight or recomping will mean I have to refit my self-supporting dresses, and given COVID it's not like anything's happening right now that I need clothes for anyway.

Dogmom1978

J72FIT wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

J72FIT wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

I don’t know if hobby is the word I would choose. More like activity I enjoy, but that’s just semantics.

Lol, isn't that the definition of hobby...?

I consider “hobby” more of arts and crafts, music, sports. I don’t consider exercising a hobby even though I enjoy it because with my hobbies, if I can’t fit them into my day, no big deal. But with exercise (weight lifting in particular) its a priority and I HAVE to work it into my schedule. As adults, we tend to let hobbies slide because of adult responsibilities.

If you can consider it a hobby and still do it consistently, great, but I definitely do not have much time for my hobbies, so I CANT consider it a hobby or it will get put off while I focus on all the things that I have to do as an adult that aren’t optional. Hobby=optional for me. Health=priority

Do you have any activities (physical) that you enjoy in and of themselves? Example, for me it's jumprope. When I engage, I am not thinking health and fitness but instead a skill I would like to get better at.

I enjoy weight lifting, hiking, dog walks, dancing, etc.

I don’t have enough free time for all of the physical activities that I enjoy, so I have to prioritize. The things I consider hobbies in and of themselves are crafting, reading, baking, etc. Those are the “when I can fit you in” and hence “hobby” things that I do 😜

When I finally retire, I’m sure I won’t be bored!

heybales

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

J72FIT wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

J72FIT wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

I don’t know if hobby is the word I would choose. More like activity I enjoy, but that’s just semantics.

Lol, isn't that the definition of hobby...?

I consider “hobby” more of arts and crafts, music, sports. I don’t consider exercising a hobby even though I enjoy it because with my hobbies, if I can’t fit them into my day, no big deal. But with exercise (weight lifting in particular) its a priority and I HAVE to work it into my schedule. As adults, we tend to let hobbies slide because of adult responsibilities.

If you can consider it a hobby and still do it consistently, great, but I definitely do not have much time for my hobbies, so I CANT consider it a hobby or it will get put off while I focus on all the things that I have to do as an adult that aren’t optional. Hobby=optional for me. Health=priority

Do you have any activities (physical) that you enjoy in and of themselves? Example, for me it's jumprope. When I engage, I am not thinking health and fitness but instead a skill I would like to get better at.

I enjoy weight lifting, hiking, dog walks, dancing, etc.

I don’t have enough free time for all of the physical activities that I enjoy, so I have to prioritize. The things I consider hobbies in and of themselves are crafting, reading, baking, etc. Those are the “when I can fit you in” and hence “hobby” things that I do 😜

When I finally retire, I’m sure I won’t be bored!

I just pictured trying to weigh out baking ingredients while running on treadmill.
Crafting involving needles or scissors - probably not good idea. Now, between sets...

Dogmom1978

heybales wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

J72FIT wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

J72FIT wrote: »

Dogmom1978 wrote: »

I don’t know if hobby is the word I would choose. More like activity I enjoy, but that’s just semantics.

Lol, isn't that the definition of hobby...?

I consider “hobby” more of arts and crafts, music, sports. I don’t consider exercising a hobby even though I enjoy it because with my hobbies, if I can’t fit them into my day, no big deal. But with exercise (weight lifting in particular) its a priority and I HAVE to work it into my schedule. As adults, we tend to let hobbies slide because of adult responsibilities.

If you can consider it a hobby and still do it consistently, great, but I definitely do not have much time for my hobbies, so I CANT consider it a hobby or it will get put off while I focus on all the things that I have to do as an adult that aren’t optional. Hobby=optional for me. Health=priority

Do you have any activities (physical) that you enjoy in and of themselves? Example, for me it's jumprope. When I engage, I am not thinking health and fitness but instead a skill I would like to get better at.

I enjoy weight lifting, hiking, dog walks, dancing, etc.

I don’t have enough free time for all of the physical activities that I enjoy, so I have to prioritize. The things I consider hobbies in and of themselves are crafting, reading, baking, etc. Those are the “when I can fit you in” and hence “hobby” things that I do 😜

When I finally retire, I’m sure I won’t be bored!

I just pictured trying to weigh out baking ingredients while running on treadmill.
Crafting involving needles or scissors - probably not good idea. Now, between sets...

Hahahaha

I have crap knees, so I don’t run, but I have mastered being able to walk at an incline of 8-10 at a speed of 3.4mph and read a novel 😜

I craft while watching tv post gym, if I have time for tv it’s like 45 min to an hr most days (I’m not good at sitting still).

shanek1990

It's highly dependent on your goals.

Olivia

Quick note that we removed replies regarding Covid-19 and vaccination from this discussion. The discussion otherwise seems back on topic so re-opening for now.

NorthCascades

My Garmin says I burned 175,135 active calories in 2020. Over the course of 371 hours. I enjoyed all of them. A lot of hiking, a lot of road cycling, a lot of Nordic skiing. One of my favorite memories this year was coming out of the woods into a meadow with more wildflowers than I've ever seen, while hiking with a good friend.

Fred Beckey was still climbing in his 90s so I hope and think this is sustainable.

CMB44512

Personally diet for me.

Brandon_all_day_son

Working out and cardio are more important than anything you do of you want to gain muscle and loose fat. You can diet all you want and see results over time... but if you start a good weight lifting program and do ample cardio you begin to see results in the first week

J72FIT

Brandon_all_day_son wrote: »

Working out and cardio are more important than anything you do of you want to gain muscle and loose fat. You can diet all you want and see results over time... but if you start a good weight lifting program and do ample cardio you begin to see results in the first week

How?

AnnPT77

Brandon_all_day_son wrote: »

Working out and cardio are more important than anything you do of you want to gain muscle and loose fat. You can diet all you want and see results over time... but if you start a good weight lifting program and do ample cardio you begin to see results in the first week

Depends on your starting point. I did plenty of cardio and strength training for well over a decade, and stayed generally a blob, at an obese bodyweight. Lose the fat, and poof, turns out there were some kinda cute li'l ol' lady muscles buried under the fat layer. Who knew?

Didn't materially increase cardio or strength training vs. what I'd done in prior years, during fat loss, either. Just kept up stuff I'd been doing. Yeah, the fat loss took a few months, not a week, but there was 50+ pounds of fat. Not gonna keep the muscle if I tried to lose that super-fast.

There really is no generic answer to this question, IMO . . . so much so, frankly, that I think it's kind of a silly question. It's situational.