Is this enough exercise a week to lose weight?
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tincanonastring wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »dontgiveup2319 wrote: »So it's only how many calories you eat? I don't understand how you can eat whatever you want and never exercise and lose weight?
You can't.
Unless "whatever you want" happens to be less food than your body needs.
That's what she's saying by "So it's only how many calories you eat?"
I'm referring to the OP's second sentence. You can't lose weight eating "whatever you want" unless there are some really big caveats around that.
You can eat whatever you want and lose weight. You can't eat however much you want, but it doesn't matter at all what you eat.
"however much" is part of "whatever".
If I have to make a choice about what I'm eating, I'm not eating "whatever I want".
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tincanonastring wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »dontgiveup2319 wrote: »So it's only how many calories you eat? I don't understand how you can eat whatever you want and never exercise and lose weight?
You can't.
Unless "whatever you want" happens to be less food than your body needs.
That's what she's saying by "So it's only how many calories you eat?"
I'm referring to the OP's second sentence. You can't lose weight eating "whatever you want" unless there are some really big caveats around that.
You can eat whatever you want and lose weight. You can't eat however much you want, but it doesn't matter at all what you eat.
"however much" is part of "whatever".
If I have to make a choice about what I'm eating, I'm not eating "whatever I want".
Whatever, man. I'm not arguing over the semantics when what you're talking about was addressed with the first sentence. Have we now properly emphasized that while the type of food doesn't matter, the amount does?0 -
dontgiveup2319 wrote: »So it's only how many calories you eat? I don't understand how you can eat whatever you want and never exercise and lose weight?
A calorie is a unit of energy. Your body is a machine and like any machine, it need energy to run. The fact that you merely exist requires a *kitten* ton of energy...for many people, their BMR (what you burn merely existing) makes up the greatest portion of their energy requirements.
After that, you have your day to day stuff...getting out of bed, driving to work, working, cleaning the house, cooking, etc..this stuff is known as your NEAT...you also have TEF (Thermal Effect of Food)...the energy you burn by breaking down certain foods. In RE to "eating whatever you want", certain foods are harder to breakdown than others...so you can have a higher TEF eating certain foods...but diving into that too much is pretty much majoring in the minors.
After that, you have EAT (Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)...the energy required to fuel your fitness. For the vast majority...unless you're an athlete or training like one, EAT will represent the smallest portion of one's energy requirements.
so, you put all that together and you get your maintenance calories from which you take a cut to lose weight...that's what these calculators do...they use statistical averages given your stats and other information you put in to arrive at an estimate of maintenance and then they cut from that number depending on your desired rate of loss. Note that MFP does NOT include exercise in your activity level though...this is why you log that activity and the calculator will give you calories to "eat back"...just make sure you leave some allowance for estimation error...ie don't eat them all back...most people eat some percentage back that they feel comfortable with.
Your diet is for weight control; exercise is for fitness. You don't have to do any exercise to lose weight...your calorie allotments will be paltry, but exercise isn't necessary to lose weight.
I cycle around 60 - 80 miles per week and lift 2-3x per week and I run a couple of 5Ks every week...sometimes I swap out one of those for a swim or something. I also walk my dog every other day, do a little hiking and in general I'm just pretty active outside of my job. I've lost weight, maintained weight, and gained weight doing all of that stuff. With all of that stuff I maintain weight on roughly 3000 calories...if I consume less than 3000 calories per day I will lose weight...at 2,500 calories per day for example, I will lose about 1 Lb per week. If I eat over that 3,000 calories on a consistent basis, I will gain weight. If I didn't exercise, my maintenance calories would drop to around 2,500 calories...so that's where exercise comes into play calorie wise...I can eat quite a bit more when I exercise and accomplish the same thing.0 -
20 lbs by November is a reasonable goal. You aren't wasting anyone's time. Having goals to eat healthy/unprocessed food is great. But don't be so restrictive on yourself that you end up binging on the foods you restricted. It happens all the time. A lot of people follow an 80/20 type rule - eat healthy 80 % of the time but leave room for a few treats. Eat at a reasonable deficit, get adequate protein and fat, and lift some heavy weights. Do that consistently and you will see results over time without drastic measures.0
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Hey Op, I'm no expert ,but I've done what you are doing. That is tons of cardio with weights, and it kept my weight neutral. Always lean and the same look. Never saw improvement, really, i just maintained. Until i read several articles (cant remember their names but from Body building .com) and all basically said to stick to lifting weights and do light cardio about 3 times a week. That way your muscles use all that fat(you have stored) as fuel. It has so far worked soooo well for me. I gave birth in December, slowly got back to the gym and i started at 140lbs and now i am 122 lbs, seeing my body change. My self confidence has gone up and my abs are appearing slowly. Never thought doing weights would change me and my body so quickly, i started lifting heavy at 4 months post partum, i walk 3 times a week because i already lose a ton of calories with breastfeeding.
A friend also told me to do weights in the beginning of a workout and end with like 10 minutes of cardio. Whether is interval training like walk/sprint in tredmill or a Hiit program, even your zumba classes. I hope it helps.0 -
20 lbs by November is a reasonable goal. You aren't wasting anyone's time. Having goals to eat healthy/unprocessed food is great. But don't be so restrictive on yourself that you end up binging on the foods you restricted. It happens all the time. A lot of people follow an 80/20 type rule - eat healthy 80 % of the time but leave room for a few treats. Eat at a reasonable deficit, get adequate protein and fat, and lift some heavy weights. Do that consistently and you will see results over time without drastic measures.
If I have myself treats like chocolate (my favorite), then I would go back to eating junk. That's why I cut it out completely lol. But thanks for your answer :-)0 -
My idea is just don't think "is this enough" just every time you have the minutes/hour to go to the gym, give it your all and keep achieving new goals with weight/distance ran/time. Optimize every minute you choose to be at the gym and if the weight comes off, it comes off, if it doesn't consider more time. Use phone apps or a mini notebook to keep track of what you did and set a micro goal from that.
I find that asking "is this enough" on the forums youll get a lot of random feed back but only you can listen to your body and put more or less effort when desired. Im not trying to bash asking but just see if you can reinvent how you approach it. Think of it as a full time job, doing just enough wont get you as far as someone who is willing to go above and beyond
Its worked for me so far at least! 0 -
tincanonastring wrote: »
Think of it as a car, but instead of stalling when the tank runs dry, it starts converting the luggage rack to gasoline.dontgiveup2319 wrote: »So it's only how many calories you eat? I don't understand how you can eat whatever you want and never exercise and lose weight?
That's a pretty horrifying thought lol "Honey where is my iPad?" *shrugs*
he makes a great point too, You NEED more than 2000 calories (give or a take 500) a day to simply exist on this planet.0 -
dontgiveup2319 wrote: »20 lbs by November is a reasonable goal. You aren't wasting anyone's time. Having goals to eat healthy/unprocessed food is great. But don't be so restrictive on yourself that you end up binging on the foods you restricted. It happens all the time. A lot of people follow an 80/20 type rule - eat healthy 80 % of the time but leave room for a few treats. Eat at a reasonable deficit, get adequate protein and fat, and lift some heavy weights. Do that consistently and you will see results over time without drastic measures.
If I have myself treats like chocolate (my favorite), then I would go back to eating junk. That's why I cut it out completely lol. But thanks for your answer :-)
Do you plan on never eating chocolate again, though? Because if you reach goal weight and just go back to how you were eating before, you'll gain it all back. It's better to try to portion out small amounts of treats.0 -
sweetochiken wrote: »Hey Op, I'm no expert ,but I've done what you are doing. That is tons of cardio with weights, and it kept my weight neutral. Always lean and the same look. Never saw improvement, really, i just maintained. Until i read several articles (cant remember their names but from Body building .com) and all basically said to stick to lifting weights and do light cardio about 3 times a week. That way your muscles use all that fat(you have stored) as fuel. It has so far worked soooo well for me. I gave birth in December, slowly got back to the gym and i started at 140lbs and now i am 122 lbs, seeing my body change. My self confidence has gone up and my abs are appearing slowly. Never thought doing weights would change me and my body so quickly, i started lifting heavy at 4 months post partum, i walk 3 times a week because i already lose a ton of calories with breastfeeding.
A friend also told me to do weights in the beginning of a workout and end with like 10 minutes of cardio. Whether is interval training like walk/sprint in tredmill or a Hiit program, even your zumba classes. I hope it helps.
+1 that heavy lifting will change your body. I used to do classes (body pump, kickboxing, pilates, athletic conditioning) but my body looks better and is smaller after starting to lift heavier.0 -
MarziPanda95 wrote: »dontgiveup2319 wrote: »20 lbs by November is a reasonable goal. You aren't wasting anyone's time. Having goals to eat healthy/unprocessed food is great. But don't be so restrictive on yourself that you end up binging on the foods you restricted. It happens all the time. A lot of people follow an 80/20 type rule - eat healthy 80 % of the time but leave room for a few treats. Eat at a reasonable deficit, get adequate protein and fat, and lift some heavy weights. Do that consistently and you will see results over time without drastic measures.
If I have myself treats like chocolate (my favorite), then I would go back to eating junk. That's why I cut it out completely lol. But thanks for your answer :-)
Do you plan on never eating chocolate again, though? Because if you reach goal weight and just go back to how you were eating before, you'll gain it all back. It's better to try to portion out small amounts of treats.
I mean I could live without chocolate. I could live without a lot of foods. I love my veggies and I eat some fruit sometimes. I think I have an idea of what I could keep eating...I'm just worried on if I'm consuming too many carbs and sugar to where I won't lose weight. At least my drinking habits are good which is only water and milk sometimes.
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OP, don't complicate things. Weight loss is actually quite simple.
As another poster suggested, read the stickies. You're going to find a lot of varying advice with some incredibly knowledgeable members of MFP.
READ
THE
STICKIES.
Here's a post that LITERALLY LISTS ALL OF THE STICKIES IN ONE SPOT. It is legit the laziest way you can not be lazy and learn a little something for yourself... In fact, I'll just link you to some posts that will then link you to some AMAZING information to help you:
Stickies to get you started:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177907/most-helpful-posts-getting-started-must-reads#latest
Stickies in regards to fitness and exercise: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10178011/most-helpful-posts-fitness-and-exercise-must-reads#latest
Stickies for general weight loss and help: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177910/most-helpful-posts-general-diet-and-weight-loss-help-must-reads#latest
Edited to fix one of the links 0 -
Another thing I'm wondering about is that I don't work....so when I'm home all day without moving a whole is that going to keep me from losing weight? I mean I do housework and take care of my pet's and go outside a lot but it's not intense work lol.0
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dontgiveup2319 wrote: »Another thing I'm wondering about is that I don't work....so when I'm home all day without moving a whole is that going to keep me from losing weight? I mean I do housework and take care of my pet's and go outside a lot but it's not intense work lol.
You really only need a calorie deficit. Create a deficit and you lose weight.
Again.
Stickies.
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I already read the stickies. I must not understand some lol.0
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I skimmed a couple of replies... My honest opinion and exerience, never use exercise to loose weight... Exercise should be first and foremost for fitness, better cardio vascular health, strength and even looking good naked...
Eating less calories than you burn is the only answer.. NO matter what you do for exercise (cardio, HIIT, weight lifting, etc..) it contribute to it... but you cannot out exercise your diet...0 -
dontgiveup2319 wrote: »I go to the gym 6 days a week and its usually for 60 mins. Mostly cardio with some weight training. I need to lose 60+ lbs. I do all the classes like Zumba, Body Pump, Grit, Step and Strength, etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
In order to lose weight you need calorie deficit. Period. How you induce that calorie deficit is up to you, weather it be through diet or through exercise. Imo get your diet in check and try to do more HIIT during the week.0 -
Ok...I just did the calorie deficit calculator.
To maintain weight is 2,074 calories a day.
Calorie deficit is 1,452 calories a day.
It says 30% aggressive loss?0 -
The amount you move around each day outside of exercise = your activity level. If you are sedentary except for exercise, choose sedentary in your MFP settings. It will automatically give you less calories and therefore you will still be in a calorie deficit.
Don't make it too complicated or hard on yourself. I know you are super motivated right now and that is wonderful. But maintaining this level of focus and drive for months on end gets exhausting and people crash, burn and go back to old habits.
Just set up your MFP to lose 1.5 or 2 lbs a week, log accurately, eat back maybe 1/2 of your exercise calories. You will lose weight if you do this CONSISTENTLY. Doesn't matter if you eat those calories in twinkles or kale. Eat enough protein, lift some weights.0 -
So when you say you don't need exercise to lose weight....the only calories you burn is what your body burns throughout the day by sitting, sleeping, etc...so how do I know what that is? I have fitbit that says it but I don't know how accurate it is.0
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