Eating Clean vs. Working Out

M

mnglamourgirl

Cathlete
Which is more important or effective when it comes to fat loss? Eating clean or consistently working out? For me, I have to do both in order to lose a pound. I always have to workout and I always have to eat clean. Does it seems like eating clean is really the key for weight loss? For me, that's the hardest part. Eating clean all day every day. Exercising, on the other hand, seems easier. Just get up, workout for an hour and then the day begins. Eating clean is a daily, sometimes hourly struggle to eat healthy or get past certain cravings. Plus there's the meal planning, the grocery shopping, restaurants, tracking calories, etc.

Any thoughts?

Terri
 
Well I've been working out for years, but I was very overweight and in denial until January of last year. When I really was honest with myself and started eating clean along with my workouts I saw the scale go down. I've been struggling with the last 15 though, but it's part of the process. The hardest thing for me is to control my diet, but I've found that for losing weight it is I'd say 75% diet and 25% working out. Of course that is my experience. There are people like one of my best friends that can eat anything without ever exercising and not gain weight. So it depends on the person, but for me it's a combination of both.
 
I agree with Rose11. I would even go further to say it is 80% eating and 20% exercise. I know it seems a small difference but just trying to emphasize the importance of your diet. If you are blessed with trim genetics it probably won't affect you as much but if your like me, it doesn't come naturally. It's hard work but it's worth it:)

Nicole

Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.
-Earl of Derby-

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?uid=7738930
 
I too have been eating clean for several weeks and following Cathe's
March rotation. I don't think I have lost an ounce! How long does this or should this clean eating/workout combo take to notice anything?

Carolyn
 
Everyone is different. After a lot of years of struggling and observing my body I've discovered my formula. I am an established exerciser - and with the grace of God, always will be. So for me - as an established exerciser, weight loss is (sorry to say) 100% food. I follow Cinch by Shaklee and finally hit my goal 2 months ago. But like I said - we're all different.

Lorrie

I NEED a Cathe Roadtrip - BAD!!!!
 
Yup, food is a bigger part of the equation. Don't get me wrong, the exercise portion is quite important for the whole package, but eating clean is roughly 80% of the deal. Not easy, I know!


Debbie


I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
--Elayne Boosler
 
For me, definately the food. I had an injury a few years ago that sidelined me for 6 weeks. Absolutely no exercise for that time. I was really fearful of gaining(did not need to lose, but I had lost 40 pounds). I was very careful with what I ate and was able to keep it stable. I find exercise is really good for helping with maintance, and it makes me feel good, tightens the muscles, so makes me look better. It helps me face the day, and the challenges of watching what I eat. So the food is what makes the difference, but the exercise makes it possible!
 
For me it's all about what goes in my mouth. I have been committed to working out for years and years and still my weight ebbs and flows. Working out is my major means of stress relief, disciplined eating is how I shed the pounds. "Eating clean all day, every day" would never work for me. Too much denial, doesn't work over the long haul, I'd rebel against myself! A 'cheat', even a little one, every day goes a long way to cutting down the potential misery of "eating clean all day, every day" JMHO

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
>I work out so I can eat:7 And like Laurie said working out is
>such a GREAT stress reliever!!
>
>
>~Nicole

That is exactly the same for me. Working out allows me to eat (and drink) what I want and not look like a monster:D

Ronne
 
>I work out so I can eat And like Laurie said working out is
>such a GREAT stress reliever!!
>
>
>~Nicole

That is exactly the same for me. Working out allows me to eat (and drink) what I want and not look like a monster >>>

DITTO .. DITTO DITTO ..


:7
 
I've been working out twice a day for two weeks and I took my measurments this morning - my legs stayed the same, lost over 1 1/2 inches in my "pouch" but gained in my arms! My weight stayed exactly the same. I've been so focused on my workouts and while my diet has been 75%-80% clean, I think I really need to concentrate on my diet. Like you've said, working out makes me feel better, both physically and mentally but I really need to lose about 15 lbs. I'm considering dropping off my workouts to every other day and really focus on the diet. Exercise is definitely in the equation, but maybe not so much? Has anybody seen results with less exercise and cleaner eating?

Terri
 
Everybody is different, but for me it is 100% food. I have had times in my life when I exercised 2x a day and times when I completely fall off the wagon. My weight and my size stayed about the same. Now the shape of my muscles is definitely better when working out;-) I get flabby if I stay away too long. But for real change, for me, it has to be the food - including calorie counting - just eating healthy won't cut it either.

I must say I hear over and over that food intake is really the key and it makes me wonder why? There must be more to it than 3500 calories = a pound. If that were the case and I increased exercising an additional 300 cal., there is no reason not to lose weight. Your body must adjust to the increased load or something. They probably don't know the answer yet. Of course, we need to exercise anyway for many reasons.
 
Much as we don't like to admit it, exercise burns calories but not as many as many as we would hope. That's why I hesitate to wear a HRM that shows a calorie count. It gives us an unrealistic licence to eat more than we should.
 
> I would even go further to say it is 80%
>eating and 20% exercise.

I agree, though YMMV.

I also think that you can stay slim just by clean eating, but the kind of slim you get won't be as appealing as what you get when you add exercise to the equation (especially resistance work).
 
HI there-Terri- I am a convert to thinking it is mostly about clean eating. For so long I've thought that if I just work out a little harder, lift more weight, add one more cardio, take that extra walk that I could get rid of those last 10 pounds-well for 2 years nothing happened and I stayed the same. Three weeks ago I got to the point of thinking if I don't try to clean up my eating I'll never know if it makes a differnce-so I did- and it worked. I think what helped was I had just gotten done with a 3 month GS rotation with 3 days of cardio a week-I was burned out so stopped working out and concentrated on eating clean- I ate 98% clean-I lost half the weight I wanted to but honestly I am at a plateau for the last few days and I'm thinking I will add in light exercise now but try to eat the same to lose the last 5 pounds. I never believed it but once you get in the habit of eating clean it's easy-I tell myself that I WILL have that chocolate bar in a month when I've reached my goal or that Taco Bell crunchwrap supreme or the nacho dip or the southwestern chicken egg rolls at Bennigans-whew did I just lose it there for a moment? LOL--good luck--deb
 
For me, it's got to be both. It's not about the weight, it's about the inches and the lean muscle mass.
 
Hey Deb,
What are you eating? I'm just curious. I'm trying to eat clean but I always have something I shouldn't. I start my day off with something I shouldn't, coffee w/ flavored creamer and sugar!x( It's a habit now and I love it so much! I justify it but I wonder if it really is making a difference because I just CAN'T seem to lose! Breakfast is clean, lunch is clean, dinner is somewhat clean, and then I blow it with a snack, either before or after dinner. I like to eat in the evening and that's probably my problem. I would be interested to hear what others eat for "clean eating".

Ashley
 
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