Quote from dbphoenix:
The diet's not everything. Cavemen got a hell of a lot more exercise as well.
yes, but you don't get something from nothing.
you CAN not get fat without exercising. i am NOT at all recommending not exercising. i'm just making a point.
i calculate my calories every single day. my total calories adjust each day according to how much exercise i do and if i'm trying to gain muscle, lose fat, maintain my size, etc.
if it takes 2600 calories to maintain your weight (assuming your nutrient ratios are also correct) and you eat 2600 (actually, you need to eat about 10% extra because of the thermic effect/digestion).... anyway, if your intake is balanced, you're not going to get fat. you won't get something from nothing, just like you can't drive a car on a flat surface/no wind, etc. without the proper amount of gas/energy to get you there.
there's more to it than this, but i just wanted to make a few points.
ALSO, something to remember is that even if you have the right KNOWLEDGE, it isn't enough. you need to ACT on the correct knowledge CONSISTENTLY. this is the hard part. think about it, not only do most people have no clue how many calories they need, etc., EVEN IF THEY DID KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO DO STICK TO IT ANYWAY!
being someone who has lifted weights/exercised/counted calories daily for years, i easily understand why everyone is out of shape. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY. it's easier just to forget about it and get out of shape. but if you recognize that everyone else can't do it, you can use that as motivation for YOU to DO what everyone can not do.
one more thing...imo, people should forget about the idea of temporary diets. if you do the right thing, get into shape, and then stop and go back to your old habits, you'll just get out of shape again. truly deciding to be in shape is a lifestyle change that you make and you stick to it til you die.
