The Consistency Project Which Matters More: What You Eat or How You Exercise?
Dec 17, 2025
Dive into the classic debate of diet versus exercise! Discover how cardio fitness can be more crucial for longevity than a strict nutrition regimen. Learn about studies highlighting the significant role of fitness over processed foods and why fitness metrics like mile times are better health indicators than weight. EC emphasizes balancing essential nutrient intake with enjoyment in nutrition. The insightful discussion wraps up with actionable tips for combining fitness and straightforward eating habits for optimal health.
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How The Episode Started
- Patrick Barber sent EC a Coach Em Up clip that sparked this discussion about fitness vs. nutrition.
- EC found the full episode valuable and praised Alec's simple nutrition approach aligned with the Three Pillars.
Fitness Strongly Predicts Longevity
- Cardiorespiratory fitness predicts mortality much more strongly than ultra-processed food intake in large cohorts.
- In one study low fitness increased all-cause death risk by ~390% versus a ~4% difference for high ultra-processed food intake.
Adjusted Studies Narrow Diet Risk Estimates
- Association studies adjust for confounders like BMI, so reported small diet risks reflect adjusted effects.
- Nutritional associations vary by study design and inclusion choices (e.g., alcohol counted as ultra-processed).