“You cannot out run a bad diet” is the conclusion of a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. (Read the full study here: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/15/967.full.) The study condemns calorie intake rather than lack of exercise — especially calories from sugar and processed foods, which promote fat storage and hunger — as the true culprit behind obesity and related health problems.
An hour of vigorous exercise only burns around 400 to 700 calories (depending on the activity, intensity level, and individual characteristics such as bodyweight). This can easily be undone by drinking just one large sugary coffee beverage. If weight loss is the goal, exercise is not enough; cutting calories is essential.
But, as the study’s author’s write, while exercise alone does not promote weight loss, “regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and some cancers by at least 30%.” This means an exercise program combined with intelligent calorie consumption can lead to multiple important health benefits, weight loss among them. Email lawandmotionfitness@gmail.com if you’re interested in beginning a fitness program to go with your smarter eating!