EXERCISE won’t help you lose weight and it’s what you eat that counts, a scientist has claimed.
Professor Tim Spector, a top epidemiologist and dietician, said exercise was “no use on its own” for those wanting to shed a few pounds.
GettyAn athletic woman warming up before she starts to run on city bridge[/caption]
Professor Tim Spector is a top epidemiologist and dietician
Prof Spector, from King’s College London, said exercise – of any kind – actually plays “very little role in weight loss“.
He told the podcast The Diary of a CEO: “All the long-term studies show it doesn’t help weight loss…
“It’s been grossly exaggerated as an easy fix for our obesity problem. All the studies show that.
“The only caveat to that is if you have changed your diet, improved your diet and lost some weight, maintaining some exercise does prevent it going back up again.
“But on its own, if you don’t change your diet, it’s no use and that’s well known now by all obesity experts and the studies.”
Prof Spector added: “It’s great for your health, I exercise. It’s fantastic for your mood, it’s great for your heart.
“We should all do it, but absolutely not if your goal is weight loss.
“That’s a huge myth, particularly perpetuated by gyms and fitness apps.
“It is complete nonsense.”
It comes despite the fact that the NHS saying “being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off”.
Prof Spector said strict calorie counting may allow people to lose weight – but it also often “deprives” dieters.
He said people should focus on the quality of their food, also describing calorie counting as “complete nonsense”.
The expert suggested eating more plant-based foods, doing so within a 10-hour window and avoiding processed items.
“There has never been any long-term study showing that calorie counting is an effective way to lose weight and maintain weight loss after the first few weeks,” he said.
“Your body’s evolutionary mechanisms will make you hungrier and hungrier every week you go by when you’re depriving yourself of energy.”
It comes after Prof Spector also warned Brits to be careful when consuming diet food and drinks – saying they could actually be making you fatter.
He said “healthy” alternatives might actually be doing more harm than good.
The professor said there were “many woefully outdated myths that have benefitted the food industry” – which have led to record obesity levels across the UK.
He said artificial sweeteners used in diet drinks may be less healthy than Brits believe.
Prof Spector also took aim at so-called “diet meals” – and explained how they may have the opposite effect by making you even hungrier.
A GP previously revealed six ways to really lose weight fast – and why exercise won’t work.
Official guidance recommends adults should get 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise – such as running, swimming, skipping and walking up stairs – each week, spread over four to five days.