80% diet-10%exercise-10%genes

[dawnmh22]

80% of what you look like is due to what you are eating....I read this article and was wondering your thoughts on it. http://www.cleaneatingonline.com/

[workoutaholic]

I've seen statements like that, too, but I'm always wondering where they get the numbers from since you can't exactly measure that kind of thing. I think it's just a best guess, and that no one really knows how much of each of those factors attributes to success...especially when you consider differences among people and what success actually means to you (gaining muscle, losing fat, etc.). Like my annoying husband who does not work out, literally eats junk all the time, and he is thin and muscular.

But I think the main point is dead-on...that for lots of people, diet is huge when it comes to losing fat. I remember last year I did a Firm 90 day rotation, and I worked very hard, and I did not lose 1 pound. Not even an ounce. My clothes did not fit better, my measurements did not change. And it was all because I couldn't eat right. Believe me, I tried, but it wasn't until a few months ago that I got it under control. I'm not perfect at all, but since I've changed my eating I have lost over 10 pounds, and I'm not working out more than I did during that 90 day rotation.

[cendrine]

I would agree with the part about eating clean preventing most any health issues you might have if you ate highly processed foods. It just makes good sense that you will get the best nutrients when leaving foods as much as possible in how nature gives them to you.

However, I don't agree with the claim that you don't have to watch your calories when you are eating clean. There is a big calorie difference between eating an avocado vs a tomato. It is however much easier to stay satisfied on a clean diet while watching the calories, because volume wise you can in most cases (except for probably all the high fat containing foods like nuts and such) eat more than you could if you insisted on eating processed foods.

I'm not sure about the percentage. If exercise is only 20% responsible for how you look, then that is rather discouraging. I think the key is to combine the two because then you are getting the benefit of both and it somehow gives you more results than one or the other separately.

Besides, exercise is really important for a whole list of reasons for the body's health, like strong bones, healthy heart, lower everything, etc.

I'm eating clean, but I still work out lots as well.

just some of my thoughts.

[Sonya Arellano]

I am a firm believer that if you want results you have to eat clean! How and what you eat depends on your goals. I agree with cendrine....I don't think you get a "free for all" just because you eat clean, you still need to watch your caloric intake. Paying attention to macros is critical as well.

[teddy16410]

Originally Posted by dawnmh22

80% of what you look like is due to what you are eating....I read this article and was wondering your thoughts on it. http://www.cleaneatingonline.com/

...and some of us have to up that 80% "diet" to 90% if you are menopausal!

[petramom]

I totally agree. I've kept pretty detailed records of what I eat and how much I workout, along with my weight, body fat percentage and measurements. And no matter what my exercise was like, my weight only moved when I got my diet under control. That said, exercise has given me a much better shape than I would have had if I'd just dieted.

I think calories always matter, no matter what you eat. However, it is much easier to keep calories under control when you eat clean. You get to eat more food and the food is much more satisfying (once you get past the cravings for junk).

[JodelleFitzh20]

Honestly, I believe that losing weight is 10% exercise 20% nutrition, and 70% behavorial. You really have to make changes to your existing routine and commit to whatever program you are following and make strides towards making it a lifestyle rather than just a quick fix to fit into a pair of jeans that you like. Behavorial changes such as: starting a routine of going to bed at a decent hour to get adequate sleep so your body gets the rest it needs; Taking a box of crackers and divying them up into single serving baggies for grab and go and to create portion control; serving dinner on smaller plates so that your eyes are pleased to have smaller portions; getting up early enough to make time for exercise, or setting aside a part of each day to commit to at least 30mins of physical activity; rewarding yourself with things other than food; journaling when circumstances beyond your control fire up your emotions, and writing down those emotions rather than turning to comfort foods; deciding a time at night when the "kitchen closes" and no more food will be eaten after than time; changing one thing at a time when starting a program, like giving up soda only and nothing else, and then once you master that moving onto to the next challenge in your diet. All these things are just a few examples of behavioral changes you can make that will make nutrition and exercise that much more simple to aid in your weight loss. It's mind over matter, literally. Set your mind to something first, and you can achieve anything.

[singinggoddess]

Excellent points, Jodelle!

Susan

[ksg68]

Totally agree with Jodelle! I really believe that you have to watch your calories if you want to lose weight. You can eat clean all you want but if you have a caloric surplus, you will gain weight.

[meredith]

I think exercise really starts to matter more as we age. I'm a nurse and I see all types of older people - and there are plenty of thin ones who have never exercised and it's not pretty. They are weak, bent over, and their muscle tone is very poor. Someone who's plump but active looks much better, their skin looks better, better posture, their legs aren't sticks. I think people get away with no exercise when they're young but not when we get to be 60+. And I'm just talking appearance - I could go on & on for pages about the functional benefits of exercise as we age! That's more important.