Is it really
all about
your
diet?
Maintaining a fit and
healthy lifestyle is
80% diet and 20%
exercise. Well, at
least this is the
latest craze that
has got people
focused more
on their diet and
leaving exercise as
less of a priority.
Personally, I
disagree with
this movement.
WORDS: MORGAN FARQUHARSON
IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
Exercise provides
health benefits that can’t be
achieved by simply eating well.
They say you can’t out exercise a bad diet and
while I agree, I don’t believe a diet of salads and
whole foods will do the job either. While we all might
not be determined to achieve a fit and toned physique,
regular exercise (daily) provides our bodies with so many,
less cliché, benefits that healthy food on its own cannot.
Exercising regularly can help us prevent and manage a
number of health problems and chronic diseases, from stroke,
diabetes, cancer, anxiety, depression and arthritis.
With so many of these health problems prominent in our day
to day lives, should we really be prepared to forgo our daily
exercise routine?
For those who are a little more weight conscious…
While a healthy diet may help you avoid overeating and keep your
calorie count in check, what it won’t do is help you burn excess fat
or maintain weight loss.
I can’t undermine the importance of your diet for weight loss, but
it’s obvious that if you really want to achieve your weight loss goals,
regular exercise is your answer.
It’s all in your head.
Regular exercise also has the ability to improve your mood and
boost your energy. So, those who say they exercise to feel good
really aren’t kidding ... there’s even evidence to back them up.
Physical activity stimulates various chemicals in your brain
that have the potential to leave you feeling happier and
more relaxed. On top of this, exercise also increases
the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your muscle
tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work
more efficiently, leaving you with more up and go
(Mayoclinic, 2014)!
While the right kind of diet can also be packed
with nutrients that are great for your
overall health, you can’t underestimate
the power of a good mood to keep
you motivated and on track
throughout the semester.
The views and wording included in
this student submission are those
of the student and is not an official
statement of the University of
Southern Queensland.