Why You Cannot Outrun a Bad Diet

Have you ever heard the expression that you cannot outrun a bad diet? And have you ever wondered why? Keep scrolling to find out.

There are a couple of reasons why a person would go through a diet. Primarily, most people think a diet is for losing weight. However, you can change your eating habits if you want to gain weight or burn muscle, and also for health benefits. Either way, for the purpose of this article, a diet here is referencing a person’s eating habits.

So if you heard about not being possible to outrun a bad diet, what exactly does that mean and why is it true? Let’s chop it down

What Constitutes a Bad Diet?

Although it might seem like a broad and general question, a bad diet is simply one that is not optimised to help you achieve the results you want.

If you want to lose weight, a bad diet is based on eating high-caloric food making it difficult for you to keep a caloric deficit (a must for fat loss). If you want to gain weight, a bad diet would be the opposite and so on.

Either way, your eating pattern is the base on which you will work. A bad diet is like trying to build a house on sand – much more difficult than it has to be.

Source: CrossFit Inc

However, there are a couple of points that would constitute a bad diet regardless of what your goal is. A bad diet is one that is high in unhealthy foods and lacks the necessary nutrients to support optimal health:

• High in processed foods: A diet high in processed foods, such as fast food, sugary drinks, and packaged snacks, is often high in calories, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These foods lack nutrients and can contribute to chronic health problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
• Low in fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are important sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. A diet that is low in these foods can lead to nutrient deficiencies and increase the risk of chronic diseases.
• Excessive calorie intake: Consuming more calories than your body needs on a regular basis can lead to weight gain and other health problems, even if you are bulking.
• Too much sugar: Consuming high amounts of added sugars, such as those found in soda, candy, and baked goods, can lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
• Too much unhealthy fat: Diets that are high in saturated and trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic health problems.
• Lack of balance: A balanced diet includes a variety of foods that provide all the nutrients your body needs. A diet that lacks balance can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health problems.

Why You Cannot Outrun a Bad Diet?

The whole idea of “you cannot outrun a bad diet” is an analogy that, regardless of how many hours you spend in the gym and the exercises you do regularly, if what you are eating is not optimal for your goals, you will not achieve the best results – you could get a little bit of success, but it will be a difficult and long journey when it doesn’t have to be.

Read More: Dieting vs. Exercise for Weight Loss – How Does it All Work?  

You can think of your body as a machine that requires fuel to function properly. The fuel that you provide to your body is in the form of the food that you eat. If you eat a diet that is high in unhealthy foods, such as processed foods, sugary drinks, and fast food, you are providing your body with poor-quality fuel.

If you try to compensate for a bad diet by exercising more, you may burn some extra calories, but it’s difficult to burn off all the excess calories and unhealthy substances that come with a poor diet. For example, a single fast food meal can contain over 1,000 calories, which is more than the average person would burn during an hour of exercise. Additionally, a diet high in processed and sugary foods can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance, and other health problems that exercise alone cannot reverse.

If you are trying to build more muscle, you need to eat above your calorie maintenance, but that does not mean that you can eat whatever you want. You should know that 1,000 calories of ice cream are different to 1,000 calories of chicken breast.

If you want to build muscle or lose weight, you must also pay attention to your macros and eating junk food will simply make your body lack some much-needed nutrients.

Related: How to Calculate Your Macros and Calories

In short, it’s difficult to outrun a bad diet because the effects of an unhealthy diet can be pervasive and long-lasting. While exercise is certainly beneficial for overall health, it’s important to also prioritize a healthy diet if you want to maintain good health and a healthy weight.

What Is a Good Diet?

Source: Nathan Cowley on Pexels

A good diet is one that provides your body with all the nutrients it needs to function optimally, while also supporting your overall health and well-being. Here are some key principles of a good diet:

1. Eat a variety of whole foods: This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, and seeds. Whole foods are nutrient-dense and provide your body with vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
2. Limit processed foods: Processed foods are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. They are also low in nutrients and can contribute to chronic health problems like heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
3. Control portion sizes: Eating too much of any food can lead to weight gain, even if it’s healthy. Use portion control to help manage your calorie intake and maintain a healthy weight.
4. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and support proper digestion.
5. Balance macronutrients: Your body needs a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to function properly. Aim to include all three macronutrients in each meal.
6. Limit added sugars: Foods and drinks that are high in added sugars can lead to weight gain and other health problems. Be mindful of added sugars in your diet and limit them as much as possible.

Remember, everyone’s dietary needs are different, so it’s important to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to determine the best diet for you based on your individual needs and health goals.

A good diet should not be overly restricted. In the end, the best diet is a healthy one you can stick with forever. Here are a couple of options we think might be helpful for you depending on your goals.

• Flexitarian Diet – a flexible vegetarian, for those trying to consume less meat or coming out of a fully vegan or vegetarian diet. Good for maintaining weight and getting healthier.
• Volumetrics diet – based on how much a portion of food can make you feel full without adding calories. Excellent for losing weight and not very restrictive.
• Mediterranean diet – great for longevity. Considered one of the best well-rounded diets for improved health.
• Ketogenic diet – a low-carb diet that is useful for weight loss and therapeutic uses.
• Intermittent fasting – this window restriction of when you can eat is suitable for fat loss.

I hope you have learned something new today and make good use of this information to achieve your goals. Check out more content from BOXROX below that we think you might find useful.

5 Underrated Habits to Lower Body Fat Percentage

What Losing Weight Does To Your Body and Brain

How To Get Lean and Stay Lean Forever

What Happens To Your Body If You Eat Nothing For 3 Days?

How to Reduce Hunger While Dieting