Last updated on 10 July 2025 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic Editorial Team
Food For Thought: Why Nutrition Is More Important Than Exercise
Do you find yourself eating unhealthy foods and then thinking that you will go to the gym and burn it off? How far are you behind your fitness goals? While exercise or any physical exertion is important, the required results can never be achieved without a proper nutrition plan to back it up.
Exercise would only compensate for the extra calories.
Several studies prove proper nutrition is as important in weight loss as exercise. People looking to lose their excess weight without controlling their diet will only lose the extra calories that they are consuming every day with exercise. This is why it is important to have a strict diet, that ensures no extra calories are being added to the body. Only then will the exercise start yielding results.
Exercise increases appetite
Studies have proven that regular exercise can increase appetite; it improves the overall metabolism. This has several implications, but the most significant one is that it can trigger certain subconscious eating patterns, that go unnoticed.
This is why it is important to keep a strict check on your calorie intake from the start. Feeling hungrier while losing weight is natural, but it doesn’t mean that the body is craving for more calories.
Exercise aline does not have any relation to weight loss.
A very comprehensive study conducted in the USA proved that exercise has no direct relationship to weight loss. The study proved that increase in physical activity does not lead to any significant weight loss, or control in weight gain, with exercise alone. However, it does not mean that exercise isn’t important. Regular exercise, combined with dietary changes, can lead to more sustainable weight loss over the long term.
Nutrition comes before exercise.
Many people misunderstand the relationship between food and exercise. Food should be the fuel that drives exercise, rather than hamper it. Only with proper nutrients, energy and caloric intake, can the body exercise at an optimum level and give you your desired fitness results.
Making your next move a successful one.
Many people think that eating healthy means stripping off everything tasty from the diet plan and not enjoying the pleasures of food that are available. This couldn’t be further from the truth. It is important to consult a Clinical Nutritionist who will guide you properly, according to the needs of your body and your lifestyle. This will ensure that you’re getting enough nutrients and aren’t consuming empty calories.
