Eat Less Weigh Less Diet

PHOTO CREDIT: ISTOCK

Yes it is so obvious. Not that I am not a proponent of exercise, but bottom line weight loss is measured by calories not time in the gym. Eat less weight less. Diet meals trump exercise.

A recent blog post by Harvard Health Publications, 7/27/13, does not dish exercise altogether, but suggests a two pronged strategy of diet and exercise is the best approach to weight loss. Their bottom line, walking briskly 30 minutes a day combined with eating 250 calories less per day will equal a 1lb weight reduction per week.

To lose 1lb by exercise alone, you need to burn off 3500 calories. Mayo Clinic provides a chart to show exactly what that means for different body weights doing different types of activities.  If you are a 160 lb runner, it would take you 4 hours to burn 3500 calories, but only if you maintained 8 mph. The same weight person walking 3.5 mph would take 11hrs to burn 1lb.

So while exercise is not key to weight loss, it is key to maintaining weight loss and health. Find an exercise you enjoy and commit to doing it every day. Just don't eat after you exercise!