Ask the Dietitian
Welcome to the first post in our Ask the Dietitian series. We have a lot of great questions to answer and we’re planning to answer them regularly. We’d like to make this a regular and ongoing feature around here, so if you have a question you’d like to ask, please feel free to leave a comment with your question on any post and we’ll add it to the queue. Now, on to our first question.
If I want to lose weight, which is more important, cutting calories or exercising?
This is a great question, and one I hear often. In our efforts to lose weight, we always want to do the thing that will get us where we want to go fastest. Ultimately, cutting calories and exercising are both important–to your weight loss efforts and your health in general.
Losing weight basically comes down to burning more calories than you consume. To lose 1 pound of fat a week you will need to either burn or cut 3500 calories each week. You can do this by exercising more, eating fewer calories, or some combination of the two. Remember that, while exercise isn’t generally necessary to lose weight, it is important for your overall health and well-being. And you should never cut your calories to less than 1200 per day, no matter how slowly you’re losing weight.
"Eat well. Live well. Be well."
Daniel said,
March 9, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
Great blog and very motivating. I read about your blog on another weight loss blog. I’ll visit again soon. Happy losing!
Skyler Clark said,
March 9, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
From a former GNC manager. Great post. Please keep it up. Information is key and if you are willing to share you may influence others.
Kate said,
March 11, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
I love this idea, can I ask a question about weight loss?
My question is
I am on a diet at the minute and have tried diets in the past but have always failed to stick with it, what foods can I eat that will encourage me to stick with my diet or rececipes?
Feed the Soul said,
March 22, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
Daniel – Thanks for the comment. Hope you’ll continue to join in on the conversation.
Feed the Soul said,
March 22, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
Skyler Clark – Thanks for commenting, as well. Our goal is to help others eat well, live well and be well. If our blog can do a little bit to help reach that goal, then we’ve done our job. Hope you’ll continue to come by and comment.
Feed the Soul said,
March 22, 2009 @ 6:46 pm
Kate – Thanks for the question. We’ll add it to our queue and get to is as soon as possible. Stop by regularly for tips and tools to help you live a healthier life.