You may of heard many sayings such as ' Abs are made in the kitchen' and '30% exercise 70% diet' but how true is it all?
If you were to run a marathon in 5 months and all you changed was your diet, would you complete it? No. Now let's try the 30/70 theory. If you changed your diet and started running 10 miles, 3 times a week would you complete it? Probably not. If we shared an equal balance between the two (diet and exercise) having a balanced diet and using a sufficient running program, would you complete it? Probably yes!
Still following?
So for certain sports the 30/70 theory may not work. If you are living a healthy lifestyle maintaining a reasonable fitness level and weight, I feel it will be a great theory. Healthy eating as much as possible along side a decent amount of exercise. Unfortunately there is no mathematical breakdown for a balanced lifestyle, it is all about finding what works for you as an individual.
Many of us believe that when we do fail in our diet we can 'make it up' in the gym, this would then be working on a 70% exercise 30% diet basis, if not worse. If we ate a high calorie/ high fat diets everyday we would most probably need to spend 4 hours on a treadmill per day to maintain your desirable weight. How realistic is that? So if you feel your failing on your current eating plan. Remember not to use exercise to compensate for your poor food choices. Stick to the right stuff and the results will shine through.
'Abs are made in the kitchen'
A healthy food choice is always a must when trying to improve your abdominal area, but do not expect by eating the right foods you will produce muscle. Lifting weights and working on core exercises will have to go along side healthy eating to be able to achieve your desired goals.
So to sum up, it is not about percentages, it is about working hard and fueling your body for the needs of your goals. Sit down and have a think if you are doing what you need to achieve your goals. If it is working that's great! If not, find what is best for you!
Richard Taylor Personal Training Club
www.richardtaylorpt.co.uk
"Changing your lifestyle to incorporate exercise and proper nutrition is not easy. But it is definitely a journey with endless rewards that are well worth achieving"
