Although exercise helps build lean muscle, a poor diet can cause muscle loss. Poor nutrition, especially a lack of sufficient protein in the diet, causes the muscles to break down for energy, preventing the growth of lean muscle and depleting the body's already existing lean muscle stores.
Is it OK to eat unhealthy but exercise?
According to a study led by the University of Sydney, high levels of exercise won't cancel the harmful effects a poor diet has on your health and risk of death. The study showed that people who had high levels of physical activity and a high-quality diet, reduced their risk of death by 17% from all causes.
Can I eat what I want if I workout everyday?
Unfortunately, no. Even if you work out regularly, you still need to maintain a healthy, balanced diet in order to avoid gaining weight. While exercise can help you burn calories and build muscle, it's not a magic solution that allows you to eat whatever you want without consequences.
Can you get toned without eating healthy?
To make gains you have to have the right nutrients in your body to construct muscle. This means that what you eat, and how much, is essential in making muscle gains. Lifting and doing strength training without adequate nutrition, especially without enough protein, can actually lead to loss of muscle tissue.
Is it better to eat healthy or workout?
Hensrud says exercise is much more effective. "So both diet and physical activity are important," he says. "Diet probably more important for losing weight. Physical activity for keeping it off." But it certainly never hurts to focus on diet and exercise at the same time.
What happens if you eat unhealthy but exercise?
In one of the largest studies to look at the effects of physical activity and diet quality, researchers found those who regularly exercised but ate anything they wanted were at greater risk of mortality compared with people who both exercised and made healthy dietary choices.