Diet plus exercise equals the key equation to stay in a caloric deficit and, therefore, to lose weight. You can try losing weight without exercise, but working out will help preserve your muscle mass and keep your metabolism up. Likewise, if you tried to maintain your caloric deficit through workouts alone, it would be incredibly difficult, as experts have explained to us in the past. Let’s start with Exercise is terrific for your body and mind, in so many ways. It cuts down on your risk for a multitude of diseases and can lower your incidence of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems, as well as boost your energy, help you sleep and more. It can also help you get and keep a fitter, slimmer body. So exercise = health, and we should all move our bodies every day. That said, when it comes to losing weight, what you eat is key—and studies show there are plenty of weight loss strategies that have nothing to do with exercise.