Research demonstrates that weight loss is largely driven by biology; however, the importance of willpower cannot be overstated.
One message in the weight loss industry that remains constant is that when it comes to shedding extra pounds, diet may be more important than exercise alone.
A fitness expert who claims to have achieved the leanest physique of their entire life has revealed that diet was in fact the single most important change she made to her routine.
Sivan Tayer recently shared a clip urging people to abandon their obsession with tracking calories burned during exercise sessions, noting: “I’m at the leanest I have ever been in my entire life, so I’m going to share with you the number one thing I stopped focusing on, because it just made me gain more weight.”
I’m at the leanest I have ever been in my entire life
|
GETTY / TIKTOK
She dismissed the traditional approach as outdated thinking, arguing that what people consume is responsible for the majority of weight loss outcomes.
“Stop prioritising how many calories you burn in a workout. Diet is accountable for 80 to 90 per cent of your results,” she declared.
Even substantial amounts of cardiovascular exercise ultimately produce similar results, making dietary choices the paramount factor, according to Sivan.
She equally warned that excessively demanding workout regimes can trigger increased hunger and food cravings.
Furthermore, consistently pushing oneself too hard physically will inevitably lead to exhaustion, whereas eating habits remain constant throughout one’s journey.
The expert emphasised that addressing the fundamental issue of portion control should be the primary focus for anyone seeking to slim down.
“It’s better to focus on the root cause problem, which is portion control. Work on eating less,” they advised.
Once this foundation is established, individuals can then turn their attention to finer adjustments in their nutritional approach, like cutting back on sugar intake, limiting carbohydrate consumption, and boosting protein levels in meals.
Sivan also recommended implementing various techniques designed to curb appetite, enabling greater self-discipline on the path to achieving a leaner, fitter physique.
The Mayo Clinic backs the dietary-first approach, with experts at the medical institution confirming that “diet affects weight loss more than physical activity does”.
However, the health organisation stressed that exercise remains crucial for maintaining results over time, noting that physical activity has a powerful effect in preventing weight regain.
Sivan warned that excessively demanding workout regimes can trigger increased hunger
|
GETTY
The clinic also cautioned against relying solely on dietary changes, as it warns that shedding pounds without incorporating exercise can weaken the body.
This occurs due to age-related deterioration of bone density and muscle mass, which can be countered by including both resistance training and aerobic exercise alongside any weight loss programme.