John Seckel on Combining Exercise and Diet

1. The Magic Recipe:
COMBINING EXERCISE AND DIET
w w w . J o h n S e c k e l . n e t

2. There are those who exercise
and those who diet. Yet the
minority who combine the two
reap the majority of the benefits.
It’s not surprising that some
people choose dieting over
exercise and vice versa. We all
like our routines, and some
routines adapt better to a lifting
regimen versus a nutritional
overhaul. No matter the case, it’s
important not to overlook the
power created by combining
these two approaches to fitness
and weightloss.

3. Karen Frazier
"Medical experts recommend combining diet and fitness as the best
possible path to good health. Choosing nutritious foods and
exercising regularly helps you maintain a healthy weight, promotes
weight loss, and provides the basis for cardiovascular fitness."
https://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Combining_Diet_and_Fitness

4. Weight loss by definition is a
combination of the two.
As described by Nutrition.gov, in short, “Weight loss can be achieved
either by eating fewer calories or by burning more calories with
physical activity, preferably both.” So while both factors can
stimulate change, it’s the joint impact that leads to significant
results. I am a firm believer in the power of personal nutrition, as I
previously mentioned, but you can’t expect diet to do it all just the
same as you can’t assume that exercise will meet all of your goals.

5. Define your routine.
To create a balance between the two, you need to understand
your routine. Don’t overpromise. If you know that between
carpools and laundry you won’t factor in a run every Tuesday then
don’t build your calorie account around it.
You also want to think about the foods that support your efforts
versus hinder them. What energizes you? In identifying these
super-foods, you can set yourself up for success early on.

6. Create accountability.
You also need to consider the
amount of calories you need to
sustain your typical physical
activity. There are so many apps
on the market today (many of
which are free) that make it
simple to hold yourself
accountable and create a log of
your progress.

7. Focus on Long-Term Results
In creating this balance, it’s only natural to face a few hiccups. Be
prepared to skip exercising altogether one day and still eat more
calories than you would if you ran twice. People make mistakes.
We’re all only human. That being said, when we fail to maintain our
routine and keep ourselves accountable, it’s important not to throw
in the towel altogether.

8. Thank you!
I n t h e e n d , i t s h o u l d b e m o r e a b o u t c r e a t i n g h a b i t s , r a t h e r
t h a n a q u i c k f i x . Y o u s e e m o r e l o n g - t e r m r e s u l t s t h a t w a y
a n y w a y s . A s P r o f e s s o r G a r y W i t t e r t f o u n d , “ W h e n p e o p l e
f o l l o w e d h e a l t h y h a b i t s f o r e n j o y m e n t a n d w e l l - b e i n g r a t h e r
t h a n w e i g h t l o s s , t h e y w e r e m o r e l i k e l y t o s t i c k t o t h e l i f e s t y l e
c h a n g e s , s t a v i n g o f f w e i g h t g a i n l a t e r . “