WELL, YES: Diet More Important Than Exercise For Weight Loss. That said, though, I think exercise plays a more important role than is generally appreciated — especially weight training, of course. That’s not only because of calories burned, but also because I think it causes you to take responsibility for your body and how it looks, which encourages you to be more careful about what you eat.

Meanwhile, my advice is if you’re going to do diet, try the Taubes approach. If you ‘re going to exercise, try the Rippetoe approach.