Kitchen or gym: Which way should you head?

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Kitchen or gym:  Which way should you head?

Putting the debate to rest once and for all

By Mitun De Sarkar

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Published: Fri 28 Jun 2019, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Fri 5 Jul 2019, 1:19 PM

Diet or exercise? With a plethora of articles available on the Internet these days, the answer is already out there - it's a healthy mix of the two. What kind of mix, you ask. Well, there are many numbers that get thrown around - 80 per cent diet and 20 per cent exercise, 70 per cent diet and 30 per cent exercise, 68.9756 per cent diet and 31.1354 per cent exercise.
Well, these numbers are not really important. What is important is a proper assessment of your health and fitness capabilities. An elite Olympian swimmer may need to consume more than 10,000 calories per day, and yet end up losing weight due to the rigor they put their bodies through. On the other hand, a weekend warrior (read: someone who plays some form of sport every few days, mostly on weekends) with a sedentary work routine will have much lower calorific and specific fitness requirements.
A good starting point is to go to a reputed fitness assessment facility or a personal trainer with proper certification and a dietitian. Reason? Remember, what cannot be measured cannot be managed effectively. These assessments will give you a clear picture on the state of your health, fitness and diet-planning. Depending on your work pressure and professional requirements, you may or may not be able to dedicate a substantial chunk of your time to a fitness class. On top of that, if you are just starting out, intense physical activity may raise your cortisol (stress hormone) levels and cause unwanted water retention and fatigue. Not to mention, initially, it will feel like every muscle in your body is against you as they turn sore after an intense workout. The catch is to aim for gradual long-term increments. After all, if you keep missing your sessions due to pain or fatigue, the fitness gains will keep ebbing.
Following a healthy diet plan may seem more doable. What it ensures is that you have an optimum supply of macronutrients and also critical micronutrients to help you achieve your weight and fitness goals. Having meal plans that are specifically designed to suit your calorific requirements can help a great deal.
Remember, abs are made in the kitchen.
So, what's more important then? Your commitment to improve and get started.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com


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