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When it comes to weight loss, the two strategies you will hear about most are modifying your diet and increasing the amount of exercise you do. This has been the status quo for decades, and while each activity plays an important role in weight loss, they are not on even terms when it comes to overall effectiveness.
Is Diet the More Important Weight Loss Factor?
As standalone weight loss methods, most experts agree that diet plays a larger role than exercise. Some say it’s 80% diet and 20% exercise, some say it’s closer to 70% diet and 30% exercise, but diet always leads the way. That’s not to say exercise isn’t important, because it definitely is, but what you put in your body makes a bigger contribution to your waistline.
In terms of obesity, you didn’t gain all that weight because you weren’t exercising. You gained it because of the types and amount of food you consumed on a daily basis, over a period of time. Anyone who likes to indulge in fattening or sugary foods, then tries to even the score through exercise knows that it doesn’t work. You must create a caloric deficit in order to lose significant weight, and modifying your diet is the way to do it.
What You Eat and How Much You Eat
Not only is the type of food you eat important for weight loss, but also the amount. Portion control plays a big part, as you can still take in excess calories while eating healthier foods. All foods have calories, and while eating foods with fewer calories from fats and sugars is good, filling your plate two or three times will erase the benefit.
One useful tip is to put your fork down after each mouthful of food. Chew each mouthful thoroughly at least 20 times, then pick up your fork and repeat. When you think you’re starting to feel full, stop eating and leave the table. It’s also helpful to eat mindfully and minimize distractions such as television or cell phones.
How Weight Loss Surgery Helps You Eat Less
If you’re in a situation where obesity is causing health problems and you just can’t seem to reduce your weight through conventional means, bariatric surgery can help break the cycle. Since diet is more of a contributing factor to weight gain and weight loss than exercise, and weight loss surgery greatly reduces caloric intake, it’s a win-win situation for patients. Weight loss surgery allows you to tap into that 80/20 or 70/30 rule, break the cycle of overeating for good and get yourself back to the healthy weight you deserve.
Contact the team at New York Bariatric Group to learn more about their weight loss procedures that can get you on the path to a healthier lifestyle. For more information register for a free informational seminar or call 800-633-8446.
