Most people who focus on healthy eating and exercise do so with the intention of achieving a happier and healthier self. We tend to want to find the fastest and easiest solution to have the body we are proud to flaunt on the beach, however dedication to dieting and fitness is time consuming and often costly. So it is not uncommon for people to focus more on one method for a healthier lifestyle. Therefore it is important to consider whether one method is more significant in achieving a healthier body and mind. Often people who dedicate themselves to dieting will see lower body mass than people who focus solely on fitness, however this does not mean that they are in better shape. While dieting will help reduce fat and calorie intake, exercise helps to burn these undesirables while also building muscle which in turn will add to the body mass. Exercise alone will not give you the body image you are seeking. The individuals who select fitness as their path to slim down and shape up often will focus less on what they are eating because they often justify the calories with the workout they did that day. However it is very unlikely that a person has enough time in the day to burn off all the calories that they take in. So if you are looking to lose pounds quickly dieting will help you achieve that but if you are looking to gain more definition and have a toned physique then emphasis on fitness is necessary. Of course a balance of both is the ideal option and will help you reach become in better shape as well as healthier and less at risk for disease. But if you find that time and money is restricting you and you have to limit your abilities then make sure you know what your goal is and choose the method that will best help you to reach that.