by Alexandria Gomez

<p>To solve that mystery, we asked experts for their takes on the idea and what it means for your weight-loss plan:</p>

<p>Why Your Meals Are So Important The key to weight loss is achieving a negative <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19936594/calories-burned-walking/" id="8802927e-2ecb-35d4-a43c-0c8e0fca6081">  energy </a> balance, or taking in less calories than you burn, says <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__albertmatheny.com_&amp;d=CwMFaQ&amp;c=REF09gcwvFlJMvhBJ7BqZg&amp;r=C33OBSFi4yGhKb35CI3yXjxTkC8max3n7MpBVOQwjIY&amp;m=KiVpLyIqKYpbIu7w7m7wMhT6B5l0zmbS5W78M1RoEgM&amp;s=7JJT5aVm_jD0RcwF1eGD_E0Uh_Wu4a2f9Int-YQgsDw&amp;e=" id="9cf1f2a1-32b1-3c43-a0a0-fc349f8a8395">  Albert Matheny </a> , R.D., C.S.C.S., co-founder of <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__sohostrengthlab.com_&amp;d=CwMFaQ&amp;c=REF09gcwvFlJMvhBJ7BqZg&amp;r=C33OBSFi4yGhKb35CI3yXjxTkC8max3n7MpBVOQwjIY&amp;m=KiVpLyIqKYpbIu7w7m7wMhT6B5l0zmbS5W78M1RoEgM&amp;s=bk4x7ZhHWeJWA0XNkZl8wpVixgoJjS_VKO1O9ybC4U0&amp;e=" id="a737c614-7bda-3ef3-a9fa-25d5f9d05f38">  SoHo Strength Lab </a> and <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__promixnutrition.com_&amp;d=CwMFaQ&amp;c=REF09gcwvFlJMvhBJ7BqZg&amp;r=C33OBSFi4yGhKb35CI3yXjxTkC8max3n7MpBVOQwjIY&amp;m=KiVpLyIqKYpbIu7w7m7wMhT6B5l0zmbS5W78M1RoEgM&amp;s=8Bz2_q1PqMlIjCMGRXt_y3L_rsLHcYBi3ZDWrVTr_lA&amp;e=" id="e9c9ae82-93c1-34ac-a216-94faaf3a21bd">  PROMIX Nutrition </a> . To shed a single pound, you need to achieve a 3,500 calorie deficit. So if you're following the 80/20 ratio, you'd want to burn approximately 750 calories through exercise and cut an additional 3,000 calories through dieting, says Matheny. Thats a total deficit of 3,750 calories for the week.</p>

<h1> RELATED:   The Diets That Are Proven to Make You GAIN Weight  </h1>

<p>Here's what that might look like: </p>

<p>(Kick-start your new, healthy eating with Women's Health's <a href="https://shop.womenshealthmag.com/eat-what-you-love.html" id="e1884f55-c5c9-362b-aec8-bdbd98f5be0f">  Eat What You Love: The 80/20 Meal Plan for Weight Loss </a> )</p>

<p>The reason dieting is so much more effective than exercise is because it takes a ton of activity to create a 500 to 700 calorie deficit through working out. Essentially, youd need to <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19981347/running-a-half-marathon/" id="6bd0b071-c7ce-3cf9-aa89-8e1d77ad3722">  run </a> seven to 10 miles a day to lose one pound a week, says <a href="http://nyulangone.org/doctors/1104010511/holly-f-lofton" id="e0cc2aeb-af8a-36a0-a9e9-34b38515825f">  Holly Lofton </a> , M.D., an assistant professor of medicine and director of the weight management program at New York University's Langone Medical Center. The average person cant keep this up, especially without increasing their caloric intake.</p>

<p>I see this in patients all the time, says Lofton. People think, If I run the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19974609/training-and-running-half-marathon-with-partner/" id="c1fc3e92-962c-3b85-a81e-a92a84527cdc">  marathon </a> or start going to boot camp, Im going to lose weight but theyre often disappointed when they dont.</p>

<p>You don't need to hit an exact 80/20 ratio to shed pounds, but it is important for people to focus primarily on diet when they're trying to lose weight. "You can lose weight without exercise, but you cannot lose weight if your nutrition counteracts your energy expenditure through exercise," Matheny says.</p>

<p>Find out how almonds can help you lose weight:</p>

<h1>  RELATED:    HOW YOUR METABOLISM CHANGES IN YOUR 20S, 30S, AND 40S  </h1>

<p>Why Sweating Is Still Vital This doesn't necessarily mean you should trade your 60-minute boot camp class for one hour of meal prepping instead. </p>

<p>Sure, its much easier to create a 500-calorie deficit through diet alone than it is to burn 500 calories through exercise, says Lofton. But when you combine a sweat sesh and a healthy diet, you don't have to make many dramatic changes at all. For example, instead of eliminating 500 calories by painstakingly striking all dairy from your diet, you could burn 250 calories at the gym and then cut another 250 calories just by skipping your nightly bowl of ice cream.</p>

<p>A combination of diet and exercise is best at any stage of weight loss, says Mathenny. Exercise should be a mix of strength training and cardiovascular training, not just cardio. Both modes of exercise burn calories and, in turn, lead to stored fat being used as a source of energy.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that the body tends to resist weight loss when you start eating less, which can lead to a plateau, says Lofton. That's what we call <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19998301/what-is-starvation-mode/" id="25bc3ec1-b6cb-39fd-a10d-3b0813b01ad3">  starvation mode </a> and it happens to everybody who successfully sheds pounds. Though your metabolism might actually start to slow as you lose weight, you can speed it up again by working outand especially by strength training.</p>

<p><strong> The bottom line: </strong>  What you eat matters more than how you work it off, but fitness will push you past plateaus and help you achieve your ultimate goals.</p>

If you've ever Googled, "Is diet or exercise more important for weight loss?" you've probably come across this seemingly arbitrary formula for dropping pounds: It's 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise. But where did that 80/20 ratio come from? And what does it really mean?

Is Weight Loss Really 80 Percent Diet and 20 Percent Exercise?

<p>Weve all been there before (or will be, at some point): You turn the key in the ignition (hot and fresh out the kitchen) andcrickets. Your battery is dead. We hope you've got a set of jumper cables in your <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/a19903570/car-sex-positions/" id="24c9eaf6-27b9-309d-ae28-0736fafb3e49">  car </a> for this one!</p>

<h1> RELATED:   Could This All-Female Car Service Be The Answer to Uber's Sexual Assault Problem?  </h1>

<p>Follow Patrices instructions in the video above to ensure that the only sparks flying are between you and the sexy stranger who's lending you battery juice. And now, you'll be able to help out someone else whose battery is donezo, too. Knowledge is power, people. </p>

How to Bypass AAA and Jump-Start a Car Like a Boss

Last time we saw Patrice of <a href="http://girlsautoclinic.com/" id="2072767a-0a61-35ba-a4a9-30e05415571f">  Girls Auto Clinic </a> , she was teaching us <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a19943791/how-to-change-a-tire-video/" id="ccb99686-e7b3-39b8-a3bc-807062f278f9">  how to change a tire </a> in under two minutes. Now this badass auto tech is here to show us the ropes (errr...cables?) when it comes to giving your car a jump.

<h1>  1. Theres a reason its there.  </h1>

<p>Body hair served an evolutionary purpose of keeping us warm, says <a href="http://www.zeichnerdermatology.com/" id="f13fb042-df59-3a9a-a187-8b93b4462f33">  Joshua Zeichner </a> , M.D., and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Hair on the body can generally be categorized as having the same purpose as hair in the genital area or buttock. So, hair is hair. Over time, as we evolved, the need for body hair became less and less important, says Zeichner. One thing to note: The amount of hair you have back there, and how thick, coarse and dark it is, is unique to every individual, but some ethnicities tend to have more hair back there than others, says Mona Gohara, M.D. associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. And, hormonal changes can impact how your booty hair looks and feels.</p>

<h1>  2. Laser hair removal is best for butt hair.  </h1>

<p>Truly everyone has hair between their cheeks, and theres absolutely no need to get rid of it if you dont want to. But if a furry behind isnt your thing, its fine to remove the hair, says Zeichner. As with hair removal anywhere else, there is no one-size-fits-all method, though laser is definitely the most effective and least likely to cause any issues. </p>

<p>If you want to get laser hair removal on your bum, you can expect to need four to six treatments, resulting in a 70 percent reduction in hair growth. Using a prescription cream like Vaniqa can help slow and reduce hair growth even more following laser removal. </p>

<p>The treatments arent actually that painful, says Gohara. Butts are pretty sturdy. And having coarse, dark hair actually makes you a better candidate for laser, since the laser identifies hair via pigment. </p>

<p>Thats why youll also want to avoid shaving, waxing or using depilatories (like Nair) for a few weeks leading up to a laser treatment. </p>

<p>After treatments, you can reduce irritation and inflammation by applying a cortisone cream or soothing balm, but check with your derm first to make sure the product is ok to put directly on your bum. Its a sensitive area! Avoiding tight clothing and thongs afterward can also give your booty some time to heal. </p>

<p>Of course, always research your laser hair removal facility before getting treatments. Lasers can burn and scar your skin, especially if you have darker skin, says Gohara. You want to make sure the person doing your treatments is board-certified and has training and experience with lasering on all skin types.</p>

<h1>  3. But you can totally shave, wax, sugar, or use a depilatory too.   </h1>

<p><a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19903677/how-to-shave-your-bikini-line/" id="3f6770c1-ff3a-3720-aa58-a6c0582b72b9">  Shaving </a> , waxing, sugaring and depilatories come with their own sets of risks. For shaving, your biggest fear is cutting yourself or getting razor burn. With the other methods, your fear would be a chemical or heat-related burn, says Zeichner. Irritation is common- Any time we yank hair out, theres a propensity for inflammation. Depilatories are probably the least irritating after lasering because they dont pull the hair, says Gohara.</p>

<p>All of these hair removal methods also put you at risk of developing folliculitis, he says. This is a small infection that develops within the hair follicle and results in red bumps with white puss that often resemble acne. This usually heals on its own within two weeks and can be prevented by washing with mild soap after hair removal and avoiding tight clothing. </p>

<p>If youre shaving, use a razor with one or two blades, take single strokes in the direction of the hair growth, and use ample shaving cream. If youre waxing, soothe irritated skin afterward with cortisone cream, or ask your derm for an antibiotic or benzoyl peroxide cream if you cant seem to kick irritation. If any bumps are causing you pain beyond mild irritation, see a doc, since it could be a stubborn ingrown hair or cyst. </p>

<h1>  4. It's important to keep that area moisturized.  </h1>

<p>No matter how you are removing hair, remember that the process affects both the hair and the skin, says Zeichner. In order to maintain healthy skin, its important that you keep the area well moisturized. An inflamed, damaged skin barrier promotes both razor burn and increases your risk of developing ingrown hairs.</p>

<p>There are a variety of aftershave creams and lotions that you can use, including <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a19959786/emma-watson-pubic-hair-oil/" id="acaa7c51-640a-3bb9-a9e1-f4e0aa0eec9e">  pubic hair oils </a> , which have become very popular to use after bikini waxes, says Zeichner. Just remember to check out the ingredients-alpha or beta hydroxy acids, retinol, and vitamin C can cause irritation when applied directly over freshly shaved skin, says Zeichner. Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, proceed accordingly.</p>

Everything You Need To Know About Your Butt Hair

<a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g19916429/rectum-and-colon-facts/" id="0248fbb7-70b0-3a42-a7e5-ebf99fa2e851">  Butt </a> hair: We all got it. But what does that floof between your cheeks actually do? Turns out, your inner butt hairs are basically <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19970744/gray-pubic-hair/" id="d92eebc3-0714-3846-a895-92fef7a1c2fe">  pubes </a> , just in a different location. So what else do you need to know? We asked two dermatologists for the f...

Everything You Need To Know About Butt Hair And How To Remove It

<p>The good news: Yoga can totally help you shed pounds if that's your goal. Yoga burns calories (well, depending on the type of yoga-more on that in a sec), and it can help you get in the right mental space to make decisions that will help you lose weight. </p>

<p>From curbing emotional eating to getting the most out of a workout, the ability to be fully present and enjoy the full strength and capacity of your mind and body working together is the key reason yoga supports weight loss," says Rebecca Pacheco, yoga instructor and star of Womens Healths   workout DVD. </p>

<h1>  But which type of yoga is best for weight loss?   </h1>

<p>If weight loss is the overall goal, then the type of yoga youre doing is super important. </p>

<p>A more relaxing type, such as one of the forms of Hatha, may not crank up the internal furnace that much, says , C.S.C.S. In comparison, Bikram or <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a26226148/benefits-of-hot-yoga/" id="a2ade8fe-985c-3a9e-ac04-3e196191b209">  hot yoga </a> could lead to a great calorie burn over a single class.</p>

<p>Bikram and hot yoga involve increasingly difficult positions (plus, loads of sun salutations) that cause your heart rate to soar. Add that to the stress of a heated room, and class-goers will burn more calories. In comparison, Hatha yoga-gentle poses and stretching exercises-requires much less physical exertion, making it great for all fitness levels. Hatha is also done in a non-heated room. </p>

<p>You also want to look for a class that incorporates "poses that focus on large muscle groups," Pacheco says, in order to up the calorie burn. Think: lunge-like poses such as warriors one and two.</p>

<h1>  Can you get in shape by doing yoga?  </h1>

<p>Yep! Yoga requires you to use your body weight to execute challenging poses, which can help strengthen and tone muscles. </p>

<p>If all you've done is weight train and cardio, the addition of yoga once or twice a week will pose new challenges for your body to adapt to, says Amato. This adaptation is what will get you into better overall shape. </p>

<p>Of course, great shape for one person can mean something entirely different to someone else. Amato swears by three different pillars for his shape test: strength, endurance/cardio, and mobility. For you, yoga just may be the key to the mobility pillar, he says. But some forms touch on all three.</p>

<p>To hit those other pillars, you might consider mixing up your routine day to day. The <a href="https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/pdf/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf" id="5d033725-f338-3af6-ada5-af26cae7bf36">  U.S. Department of Health </a> recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise for health benefits like increased cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength, and decreased depressive symptoms.</p>

<p>Learn how to nail pigeon pose with 'Yoga Girl' Rachel Brathen: </p>

<h1>  Can yoga help you lose belly fat?  </h1>

<p>Similarly, there are a whole lot of factors that go into how to lose belly fat, including your nutrition, workout intensity, and even stress levels. While yoga can certainly help you lose fat, <a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2014/12/using-weights-to-target-belly-fat/" id="9548c07f-a3a4-351b-a5f4-b1e3c4a96a61">  Harvard research </a> shows that resistance training is ideal for targeting that particular area of your body.</p>

<p>Still, it's smart to monitor the amount of belly-or visceral-fat you're dealing with. Not just for the betterment of your physical health, but mental, too. <a href="http://news.yale.edu/2000/09/22/stress-may-cause-excess-abdominal-fat-otherwise-slender-women-study-conducted-yale-shows" id="bfb143a2-744c-36b3-ae20-4ba278763459">  Researchers at Yale University </a> found that women who experienced significant levels of stress, and were otherwise "slim", were more likely to have belly fat. Calm down with a few asanas and potentially reduce belly fat? Sounds like a win-win.</p>

<p><strong> How much weight can you lose by doing yoga? </strong></p>

<p>This depends on a whole lot of factors, including sleep and lifestyle habits, and of course, what youre putting into your body. When practicing yoga to lose weight, its critical to be aware of what youre eating, says celebrity nutritionist Nicolette M. Pace, RDN <strong> ,  </strong> who stresses the importance of a diet rich in whole, fresh foods. Theres no cure-all or magic trick to lose weight fast.</p>

<p>Regardless of the type of exercise you're doing or the diet you're following, people who lose weight gradually (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more successful at keeping it off, according to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing_weight/index.html" id="dbd0037b-f0ed-340d-a950-76bed3d37165">  the CDC </a> .</p>

You know yoga can make you feel crazy-flexible when you're tight, and super-zen on even the crappiest of days. (Yoga and the expression ahhhhh may as well be synonymous...) But can you lose weight doing yoga-or are you better off trying something else?

What You Need To Know About Doing Yoga To Lose Weight

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by Alexandria Gomez

Articles written by the author

Is Weight Loss Really 80 Percent Diet and 20 Percent Exercise?

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Everything You Need To Know About Butt Hair And How To Remove It

What You Need To Know About Doing Yoga To Lose Weight