Which is better for weight loss- food or fitness?

 As a nutritionist, I'm often asked which is the smarter route to weight loss- eating differently, or being more active and getting fit. The short answer is... both. 

Food and fitness are both critical in weight loss. They are both powerful and can be life changing tools. Changing what you eat can make a world of difference in results. When you eat healthier and lighter food, you often become healthier and lighter. Also, it may only take a few days before you see the benefits, and they go deeper than the scale. Smarter food choices will fuel your life with more energy. You will think clearly and funtion at a higher level. However, fitness also works....wonders. Every minute of physical activity burns calories. Every walk, every trip to the gym, every weight you lift and every time you mop the floor or mow the yard. It all counts and it all helps. 

The important variable, here, as far as which strategy works best.....is you. You are the one that wants to lose weight and get healthy. You will do it for you, and only you. You will only do it a way that works for you, and you might as well do it in a way that makes sense for your schedule, preferences and passions. 

If you don't have a lot of time to work out, then maybe your best strategy is primarily food with a monderate amount of walking. You would want to drink a lot of water, watch what you eat, and be careful not to eat empty calories. Physical activity is still critical for good health, but it's ok if you don't do official workouts. Walking is a great way to get fit without straining the body You can still lose weight. Focus on fruits and veggies, and work with a nutritionist!

If you have time to work out, then I HIGHLY recommend fitness as a substantial part of your wellness and weight loss plan. The more active you are, the more calories your body can handle. This gives you more opportunity to get the nutrition you need so your body can run at optimal capacity. Your eating plan is still critical, as this is what will fuel your workouts, but you won't have to worry so much about calorie count. As you get stronger and gain more muscle, your metabolism will continue to speed up. Fitness can also help you stay regular, maintain focus at work, have better energy, and sleep better. 

Ideally, if you have time and motivation, you would focus on food AND fitness at the same time. Cut out all the junk, refined sugars, empty calories, white carbs and fatty meats, and work in ALL the colors of the rainbow by eating lots more fruits and veggies. Increase protein and focus on water intake. Then, after just a few days your energy will increase and you will be ready to go to the gym and get a great work out. Go for a 10-15 minute workout at first, if you don't normally go to the gym. Then gradually add 3-5 minutes a week to each workout until you get up to about a 30-45 minutes a day work out. I know it sounds extreem but trust me- your body can do this and pretty soon you will be MORE addicted to the treadmill or the step class than you were to the couch. You. will. feel. amazing. 

The only situation I do not recommend is to workout hard and not pay attention to nutrition. Your body may lose weight but your could be increasing your disease risk at the same time. Hard workouts increase inflammation and you could actually increase heart attack or stroke risk. Ideally, food and fitness work together to help you achieve all of your health and wellness goals, including weight loss. 

So...which type of lifestyle change is more your style? Or do you go for both?