Diet vs. Exercise – Which one is more important for a person’s health?

The New Year always inspires people to make resolutions to live a healthier life. But too often, people focus on either diet or exercise. The key to losing weight is to incorporate both into your life. If you’re not sure where to start to begin working toward your resolution, keep reading or reach out to the experts at Natural Bio Health for more information.

The benefits of a healthy diet

According to Shawn M. Talbott, Ph.D., a nutritional biochemist and the former director of the University of Utah Nutrition Clinic, weight loss can usually be attributed 75% to diet and 25% to exercise. So, while it is possible to lose weight by changing your diet alone, you will get the best results, and boost your endorphins, by exercising regularly as well.

While there are numerous diet plans out there, it is important to remember that everyone’s body is different and will require a different diet, depending on your lifestyle, activity level, age, sex, and more. Some of the most popular diet plans are:

• Intermittent fasting restricts your calorie intake to certain times of the day with periods of fasting in between. According to a study by PubMed, intermittent fasting caused a 3–8% weight loss over 3–24 weeks.
• Plant-based diets such as vegetarianism or veganism encourage a higher intake of non-animal products. Cutting out red meat can lead to weight loss, but vegetarianism works when you eat mostly vegetables, not rice and pasta.
• The paleo diet encourages the intake of the same foods our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate thousands of years ago. People who abide by the paleo diet mostly eat unprocessed fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, and seeds. Processed foods, sugar, and dairy are all prohibited.

The benefits of regular exercise

Michele Olson, Ph.D., a professor of physical education and exercise science at Auburn University at Montgomery, says that exercise is an important component of weight loss because it burns fat and builds muscle. Exercise can also improve your quality of sleep, lower cholesterol and reduce stress levels. However, you cannot only lose weight by exercising without also eating a healthy diet, and vice versa.

Exercising doesn’t have to be as difficult as lifting weights for hours a day or going on seven-hour hikes into the mountains. According to Dr. Olson, you simply need to do one 50-minute workout five times a week. This could be taking a walk around your neighborhood or signing up for a Zumba class with your friends. Just remember that the calories you burn during exercise are easily regained if your diet contains too many carbs, sugars, and processed foods.

How exercise and diet work together

If you’re looking to improve your overall health, a Stanford University study suggests that improving your diet and exercise simultaneously is the quickest way to see the best results. If you are only focused on the diet facet of your life, your activity levels will suffer, and vice versa. Everyone’s body and nutritional needs are different, but it cannot be argued that more vegetables and more time in the fresh air ever did anyone harm.

Consider a Non-Invasive Medical Weight Loss Program

The team at Natural Bio Health can help you achieve your goals this new year. If diet and exercise still aren’t giving you the results you want, we can create a personalized medical weight loss program tailored to you. Depending on your needs, we may suggest one of the following:

• 26 Day Program
• 43 Day Program
• Appetite Suppressant Programs
• Weight Loss Counseling
• Low-Calorie Diets
• B12 Injections
• Vitamins / Supplements

At Natural Bio Health, we know that diet or exercise alone isn’t enough to lose weight and keep it off. During your first visit with us, we will analyze your BMI, weight, medical history, and blood results to determine the best plan for you. Your customized weight loss plan will include prescribed all-natural medications and supplements, a custom meal plan, and diet and exercise recommendations.

At Natural Bio Health, our team focuses on helping people like you change their lives for the better. We offer a wide variety of effective, long-term health solutions that could help you lose weight and keep it off more effectively. If you are interested in learning more, contact us at (512) 266-6713, or reach out to us online today.