While many experts advise to start eating a more healthy diet before starting an exercise program, recent research points to doing both at the same time for optimal results. Participants were separated into four groups: 1) Start exercise program first. 2) Start diet first. 3) Start both diet and exercise at same time. 4) Do neither. Participants who started eating healthier at the same time they started an exercise routine were more likely to exercise 150+ minutes a week, eat 5-9 servings of fruits/vegetables daily, and keep calories from saturated fats to <10% of their daily caloric intake.
Annals of Behavioral Medicine, April 2013