Is exercise necessary?
gizmosmom02
Posts: 29 Member
I sort of know the answer to this question. Weight loss is all about a calorie deficit, therefore exercise isn't absolutely necessary, but it does help with toning and increases the calorie deficit. That's the theory.
Has anyone lost weight without exercising? I ask because every time I try to jog on my treadmill I am so sore the next day I can barely walk. Not kidding. Also, exercise makes me more hungry. I need to lose 50 lbs.
Thanks for your advice.
Has anyone lost weight without exercising? I ask because every time I try to jog on my treadmill I am so sore the next day I can barely walk. Not kidding. Also, exercise makes me more hungry. I need to lose 50 lbs.
Thanks for your advice.
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Replies
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it's not necessary to exercise for weight loss if you eat at a deficit
but it is awesome0 -
I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!0 -
Hey there!
Exercise isn't 100% necessary... but it is definitely super helpful. If you're looking for more muscle tone, as well as weight loss, you should try lifting weights. Cardio (running/jogging, elliptical, etc) will help burn calories, but you can burn calories and build some lean muscle by lifting weights. Also, by building a bit of lean muscle, it will help your metabolism and help you burn more fat during the day (even when you're not exercising). Exercising is definitely going to make you want to eat more. So if you're exercising, don't limit your calories too much! You want to eat healthy whole foods, instead of processed crap. Tracking on MFP definitely helps see where your problem areas are, but just make sure you're still feeding yourself enough to fuel your new muscle growth!
If you want to lose weight without exercising, you definitely can... it's just a lot more work and you won't get the same results as you would with weight lifting.
Good luck!0 -
gizmosmom02 wrote: »I sort of know the answer to this question. Weight loss is all about a calorie deficit, therefore exercise isn't absolutely necessary, but it does help with toning and increases the calorie deficit. That's the theory.
Has anyone lost weight without exercising? I ask because every time I try to jog on my treadmill I am so sore the next day I can barely walk. Not kidding. Also, exercise makes me more hungry. I need to lose 50 lbs.
Thanks for your advice.
Walk i have same problem, but if u looks at my diary i exercise very little, im 5-8 250lbd0 -
Exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system and tones the body. It also keeps your metabolism in check. Yes, in keeping with CICO, you could eat and have a calorie deficit and never exercise and still lose weight. With all that said, I find that when I eat healthier I have more energy and I am motivated to be active. If jogging on a treadmill makes you sore try finding something lower impact, if for no reason other than keeping your heart healthy.0
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I had to exercise...not in super large quantities, but on an at least semi-regular basis. It burns more calories, so you'll lose faster. It also just makes me feel healthier and more health conscious which helps stick with my healthy eating plan. It is also...regardless of weight...just healthy.
If running is too difficult at your current fitness level, just walk at an incline. There is no reason not to exercise at all.0 -
Exercise isn't necessary for losing weight, but what is the point of losing weight if you are more likely to die an early death from lack of exercise?
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I dont exercise much 2-3 times a week. I mostly just walk. Why run if u dont want to? I have lost 65lbs. That being said i am slowly adding more strength training so i can look bad *kitten* and not just less fat0
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Thanks to everyone. I appreciate the honesty. Will get new shoes this weekend and try to do regular walks with incline.0
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kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.0 -
To lower the number on the scales you need to log accurately and maintain a calorie deficit. However, if you want to give yourself some extra calories to eat, become more healthy and help maintain lean muscle mass then you need to exercise as well. Do a combination of cardio and strength, even if that is only walking and pilates (for example). Try to only eat back a max of half your MFP burn exercise calories and keep well hydrated.0
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gizmosmom02 wrote: »I sort of know the answer to this question. Weight loss is all about a calorie deficit, therefore exercise isn't absolutely necessary, but it does help with toning and increases the calorie deficit. That's the theory.
Has anyone lost weight without exercising? I ask because every time I try to jog on my treadmill I am so sore the next day I can barely walk. Not kidding. Also, exercise makes me more hungry. I need to lose 50 lbs.
Thanks for your advice.
Ofc you dont need exercise to lose weight just the calorific deficit.
Plenty of people on this site seem to take pleasure in avoiding exercise.
Exercise is good for you, being fit is good for your health. Just because you are not overweight doesnt mean you are healthy. Its importnat to do as mucha s you can manage so you have a better chance at an extended better quality life.0 -
I have pre diabetes so for me exercise is necessary to keep my insulin moving properly and to deal with all my emotional issues. I have changed my eating habits completely and on days I do not exercise I still lose. Everyone is different. Exercise is great!0
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You do not need to exercise to loose weight and running ten miles a day does not mean you will live to a hundred.0
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kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...0 -
From my own experience, I would have to say "not necessarily" and "it depends on how you define "exercise"."
I've lost 70 pounds from when I started using MFP in July 2014.
My roommate has a personal trainer, and I have had ?5? sessions with him over the past year.
I take transit to work, and the nearest stop to my office is about 1/3 of a mile. Until - ?March? this year, the 1/3 of a mile (twice daily!) walk to my transit stop was the bulk of my exercise.
Since then, I have also started arriving at work earlier to use a more distant transit stop, and to walk at lunch time and breaks.
So - figure a minimum of 20 minutes, and a maximum of 1 hour a day walking (I now aim for 10,000 to 12,000 steps as logged by my Up24).
Does that count as "exercise" in your book? If so, then, no, not without exercise.
But the first 50 pounds or more came off with the minimum walking, and no gym time.0 -
gizmosmom02 wrote: »I sort of know the answer to this question. Weight loss is all about a calorie deficit, therefore exercise isn't absolutely necessary, but it does help with toning and increases the calorie deficit. That's the theory.
Has anyone lost weight without exercising? I ask because every time I try to jog on my treadmill I am so sore the next day I can barely walk. Not kidding. Also, exercise makes me more hungry. I need to lose 50 lbs.
Thanks for your advice.
It's necessary for your health but not weight loss. That said, without exercise, calorie targets are rather paltry. It's not so much about increasing your deficit as it is about being able to eat at a sustainable level of intake to lose weight and maintain sanity.
Example...without exercise I can only eat around 2,000 calories per day to lose about 1 Lb per week...this is because without exercise my maintenance is around 2,500 calories per day. Conversely, with exercise I can eat 2300 - 2500 calories per day and lose about 1 Lb per week because my maintenance jumps to 2800 - 3000.
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"Following a healthy diet is imperative to keep you from gaining weight, but to truly shed the pounds and shred your physique, a smart, powerful fitness regimen is equally important."
-Jillian Michaels0 -
I guess it would depend on your goals. For me it is.0
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kellyzita4 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...
So either you defy physics and all that the world knows about losing weight OR when you began walking that put you into a calorie deficit by burning more calories, hence, your logging wasn't accurate. Which seems more likely here?0 -
kellyzita4 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...
So either you defy physics and all that the world knows about losing weight OR when you began walking that put you into a calorie deficit by burning more calories, hence, your logging wasn't accurate. Which seems more likely here?
I'll go with C: not knowing what a Caloric deficit really is, and not knowing how her (apparent) medical condition affects her. Hint: it's not just eating what a computer told you to eat.0 -
kellyzita4 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...
So either you defy physics and all that the world knows about losing weight OR when you began walking that put you into a calorie deficit by burning more calories, hence, your logging wasn't accurate. Which seems more likely here?
I'll go with C: not knowing what a Caloric deficit really is, and not knowing how her (apparent) medical condition affects her. Hint: it's not just eating what a computer told you to eat.
Thank you, TR0berts, for giving me the benefit of the doubt. =-)
I'm not trying to say that a calorie deficit has nothing to do with weight loss - it obviously does. All I'm saying is that for me, with my particular health conditions, I need to walk. The walking (for me) creates the caloric deficit that's necessary to lose weight. Some people don't have to exercise - I totally get that. But I do have to exercise. I don't know if it's an issue with my particular make-up and MFP's algorithms (it's entirely possible that the algorithms aren't accurate for 100% of the population) or if it has to do with medical stuff (but that's why I see my doctor). I'm pretty sure I'm logging accurately - I barcode-scan my foods into my log and carefully weigh and measure everything. I'm very careful about it and tend to err on the side of under-counting calories because weight loss is such a struggle for me. In any case, for whatever reason, I have to exercise to lose weight.
But, my whole point in answering the original post was just to say that people are different. I don't know the original poster at all - maybe she won't have to exercise to lose weight. Or, maybe she's like me and, for whatever reason, she will. All I was trying to say is that there are all types out here and whatever boat she's in, she's not alone. I wasn't looking for counsel and I do apologize for the snark. It's been a frustrating week and my defensiveness is on high right now.0 -
simple question, simple answer. yes, it is.
WHAT exercise means to you is the variable.0 -
gizmosmom02 wrote: »I sort of know the answer to this question. Weight loss is all about a calorie deficit, therefore exercise isn't absolutely necessary, but it does help with toning and increases the calorie deficit. That's the theory.
Has anyone lost weight without exercising? I ask because every time I try to jog on my treadmill I am so sore the next day I can barely walk. Not kidding. Also, exercise makes me more hungry. I need to lose 50 lbs.
Thanks for your advice.
I did not exercise while I was in my active weight loss phase. When I started this whole thing I had never tried to lose weight before, never had exercised before, and I was facing T2 diabetes if I didn't lose the weight. I was incredibly overwhelmed and scared, and for me it worked best to just focus on eating at a calorie deficit.
I lost the weight with no problems and improved my health in the process, including getting my glucose number back down to the normal range. Just by eating at a calorie deficit-I did not track anything else besides calories. I also continued to eat all the foods that I liked, but just fit them into my calorie goals.
I've been in maintenance for over two years now, and my focus has changed to include fitness goals, but these are not related to my weight loss maintenance. I still track calories, follow portion sizes, use my food scale, weigh myself daily etc. Exercise is great, but it's not necessary for weigh loss or even weight loss maintenance. Eating the correct amount of calories for that
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kellyzita4 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...
So either you defy physics and all that the world knows about losing weight OR when you began walking that put you into a calorie deficit by burning more calories, hence, your logging wasn't accurate. Which seems more likely here?
I'll go with C: not knowing what a Caloric deficit really is, and not knowing how her (apparent) medical condition affects her. Hint: it's not just eating what a computer told you to eat.
Agreed but exercise is not required for weight loss...accurate logging that is consistent is.0 -
kellyzita4 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...
So either you defy physics and all that the world knows about losing weight OR when you began walking that put you into a calorie deficit by burning more calories, hence, your logging wasn't accurate. Which seems more likely here?
I'll go with C: not knowing what a Caloric deficit really is, and not knowing how her (apparent) medical condition affects her. Hint: it's not just eating what a computer told you to eat.
Agreed but exercise is not required for weight loss...accurate logging that is consistent is.
Millions of people have lost weight and never logged a single calorie. So accurate logging is also not required for weight loss. It helps the people who choose to do it that way, but it is not "required" any more than exercise is.0 -
If you want to battle semantics have at...but of course no logging is not "required" a calorie deficit is and how you get it is up to you, But don't think for one minute that this semantic game changes anythingMoiAussi93 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...
So either you defy physics and all that the world knows about losing weight OR when you began walking that put you into a calorie deficit by burning more calories, hence, your logging wasn't accurate. Which seems more likely here?
I'll go with C: not knowing what a Caloric deficit really is, and not knowing how her (apparent) medical condition affects her. Hint: it's not just eating what a computer told you to eat.
Agreed but exercise is not required for weight loss...accurate logging that is consistent is.
Millions of people have lost weight and never logged a single calorie. So accurate logging is also not required for weight loss. It helps the people who choose to do it that way, but it is not "required" any more than exercise is.
Exercise is not required for weight loss....bottom line....
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Just responding to your claim!
If you want to battle semantics have at...but of course no logging is not "required" a calorie deficit is and how you get it is up to you, But don't think for one minute that this semantic game changes anythingMoiAussi93 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...
So either you defy physics and all that the world knows about losing weight OR when you began walking that put you into a calorie deficit by burning more calories, hence, your logging wasn't accurate. Which seems more likely here?
I'll go with C: not knowing what a Caloric deficit really is, and not knowing how her (apparent) medical condition affects her. Hint: it's not just eating what a computer told you to eat.
Agreed but exercise is not required for weight loss...accurate logging that is consistent is.
Millions of people have lost weight and never logged a single calorie. So accurate logging is also not required for weight loss. It helps the people who choose to do it that way, but it is not "required" any more than exercise is.
Exercise is not required for weight loss....bottom line....
But don't think for one minute that exercise doesn't help weight loss. It does...bottom line....
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MoiAussi93 wrote: »
Just responding to your claim!
If you want to battle semantics have at...but of course no logging is not "required" a calorie deficit is and how you get it is up to you, But don't think for one minute that this semantic game changes anythingMoiAussi93 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »kellyzita4 wrote: »I certainly can't speak for everyone, but in my experience, exercise is absolutely necessary. If I only eat a calorie deficit, I just don't lose at all. As soon as I start walking, though, the weight loss happens. I know that in theory, I shouldn't have to walk, but in reality, I do if I want to lose.
If you're just starting out with the exercise, you might try walking for awhile and working your way up to jogging over several weeks/months. And make sure you have some good sneakers - no cheapies. Your shoes can make a big difference in how your legs and back feel after you've been on the treadmill.
Best of luck to you!
no you just need to log more accurately. The walking was countering logging errors.
Exercise is not necessary.
Thank you, Random Stranger on the Internet, who does not know anything about me or my medical history, for your unsolicited critique. I will give your comment due forethought and consideration...
So either you defy physics and all that the world knows about losing weight OR when you began walking that put you into a calorie deficit by burning more calories, hence, your logging wasn't accurate. Which seems more likely here?
I'll go with C: not knowing what a Caloric deficit really is, and not knowing how her (apparent) medical condition affects her. Hint: it's not just eating what a computer told you to eat.
Agreed but exercise is not required for weight loss...accurate logging that is consistent is.
Millions of people have lost weight and never logged a single calorie. So accurate logging is also not required for weight loss. It helps the people who choose to do it that way, but it is not "required" any more than exercise is.
Exercise is not required for weight loss....bottom line....
But don't think for one minute that exercise doesn't help weight loss. It does...bottom line....
No one here has said it doesn't help...but it isn't necessary...bottom line...and that is what this thread is about...
Is exercise required for weight loss...resounding NO.0 -
I don't think it's necessary for weight loss, but necessary to keep that heart ticking and added energy. It can boost weight loss. For me, nutrition = weight loss for me. I walk cause it's something I enjoy it and it does give me that extra energy boost. I willbtake the extra boost lol. Everyone has find what works for them. Different folks different strokes. Keep the support going. We need it on this journey.0
This discussion has been closed.
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