What happens if you work out almost every day, but you don't eat very healthily?

What happens if you work out almost every day, but you don't eat very healthily?

I routinely get simple questions in my Mooresville, NC consulting practice that reflect the thoughts of a significant percentage of the population. This questioner really wants to know if they can just train, avoid nutritional responsibilities, and still meet their health/fitness goals. I call these types of questions “hopeful asking.” These “hopeful asking” questions are common from Charlotte, NC to Columbia, SC from Cary to Greeenville and across the United States.

Are the workouts primarily aerobic in nature? Do they prioritize muscular strength, endurance? Is High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) utilized? There are dozens of exercise options and an almost unlimited number of combinations, all having different influences on “what will happen.” I need to know precisely what your definition of “don’t eat very healthy” is to provide a more specific response. Understand that even with a well-designed training regimen (specific to your goals) ultimately, you can’t “out train” a bad diet. Initially, even on a diet filled with processed foods, empty calories and weak in nutrient density you will enjoy some progress. The lack of critical resources will soon catch up and strain the body as physical demands increase and gains will plateau. Accelerated progress will not begin until the diet is improved. Food is fuel! It has more influence on how our genes are expressed (epigenetics) than any other lifestyle factor. Nutrition influenced genetic expression plays the leading role in determining how our bodies respond to “working out.” Here is an analogy that I identified early in my career, 1983/84 to be more specific. I worked with highly competitive bodybuilders. I used to estimate that in the beginning of their training their progress was determined by about 90% lifting influence and 10% diet influence. As they reached “National competitor” level the percentage had incrementally changed to about 90% diet and 10% lifting regimen. My point, any workout plan regardless of diet will provide some results. Designing a training and nutrition regimen specific to your needs will enable you to enjoy health and wellness benefits beyond what you thought possible. The only way to achieve the healthiest results is to consume nutrient dense, chemically free, naturally sourced foods, these include; grass fed beef, pastured heritage pork, pasture raised chicken and sustainable local seafood.

Wayne Coolidge Jr., M.Ed., CHES is a scholar-practitioner, author, and speaker. He owns Healthy Dynamic Living, an innovative health promotion consulting firm.