According to new research conducted by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, diet is far more important than physical activity when it comes to losing weight.
There were two main reasons: only a fraction of your calorie expenditure comes from physical activity while your entire intake comes from food and drinks. And, interestingly, exercise increases appetite, reports the CNN.
Further, the findings suggest that losing weight gradually (1 to 2 kilograms a week) increased the chances of keeping that weight off.
Meanwhile, when we digest food, we burn around 10 per cent of our calories. That compares to about 10 to 30 per cent during physical activity.
"It could not be more true," says nutritionist Lisa Drayer, speaking to CNN.
"What you omit from your diet is so much more important than how much you exercise."
Drayer continues to explain that all of your "calories in" come from the food you eat and the beverages you drink. Meanwhile, only a fraction of your "calories out" are expended through exercise.
However, Drayer notes it's still important to keep up an exercise routine.
Physical activity is key to increasing muscle mass, strength and flexibility while also reducing mortality risk, fighting off heart disease and diabetes.
