This 'fat loss pyramid' makes no sense to me

[MorrisZapp]

I've seen this graphic many times on weight loss boards. Obviously it's saying that nutrition is more important than exercise, which I understand.

But I don't get the current obsession with demonising cardio. If cardio is the least important part of weight loss, then how can calorie deficit be the most important?

If it's really as simple as calories in versus calories out, and cardio burns hundreds of calories, then surely for those doing cardio, it's as important as what we're eating?

I've lost a stone and a half since January, and my twice weekly long runs have been a key part of this. How could a six hundred calorie spend be less important than my protein macros? It smacks of a fad to me.

When you strip away the modern obsessions with weights, macros etc most women know fine well that they lose weight best by cutting food intake and upping exercise.

Hi all and thanks for your feedback.

I suppose what I was looking for was a training program with recommended weights to begin with and then recommended weights through progression.

I use 3kg hand weights currently during my HIT workout and wanted to supplement this with a more traditional weights session but didn't want to just go out and buy a set of weights without consideration first (I have a set which are far too light, ordered from Amazon).

Anyway, I've joined a gym and have my first session the week after next so hopefully I'll have a trainer who can devise a proper program for me as I slowly make my way into decrepitude!

Unorthodox maybe but it’s not just calories in/out
There is more to it-I recommend Taubes WHY WE GET FAT and Fung THE OBESITY CODE
Firstly if you move more you will be hungrier
So if you exercised and then denied yourself the food due to a huge, unrealistic and unsustainable amount of will power your body would still get the energy from somewhere-eg your muscles. So chronic cardio plus food restriction could cause you to lose muscle.

A calorie is not a calorie. Each macro nutrient follows a different pathway in the body and how the food affects your insulin levels is key here.
Taubes and Fung make the case - I follow their rules and the obsession with food and the constant hunger are gone-along with 2st. Worth reading if you suffer cravings or blood sugar issues.