Losing weight is 70-80% about diet. As the saying goes, you can't outrun a bad diet.

When I really needed to lose weight, I focused first on my diet. I exercised, but not at the level I do today (personal trainer 3x/week, pilates 1x/week, running or cycling 2-3x/week).

I'm much stronger and fitter now than when I had simply lost the weight dieting. And I find that b/c I work out so much, I can have a few bad diet days and not get completely off track.

But I do understand focussing first on diet to lose weight. I just don't think that is a long-term solution for most people b/c the reality is that it is hard to diet indefinitely. For those that are active and exercise a lot, once you get without 5 or so lbs of your ideal weight, you can indulge a lot more.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. The more I work out, the more my hunger increases. It's easier for me to cut back working out and eat WAY less.

Ditto. It amazes me when I am unable to exercise for a few days (traveling, etc.) and how much less I eat vs when I am at home on my regular pace (doing spin class, or running or strength training) and I am super hungry.

Jason makes a lot of sense and I agree with most of what he says.