Diet Vs Lifting .. how great is the difference to weight loss?

Abrandnewme55

Hello,

I am once again back to MFP. A few years ago I successfully lost 80 lbs, with both a deficit caloric intake as well as 6 days in the gym ( doing cardio and 45 min classes ) Due to a lot of stress and upheaval in my life I realized I stress eat. Unfortunately this has caused me to put almost all the weight back on Now here I am wanting to lose the weight again. I do know how I did it the first time however, due to a slow healing injury I am unable to go to a gym for the classes or weight lifting at this time. All I can do is cardio however it is limited.

I do know that calories in vs calories out is a huge part of the weight loss process, but how effective is weight loss when all you can do is eat at a deficit. Due to my injury I am not working as well so other than walking the children to school and daily chores around the house/dog walking, I am not very active in a normal day Will eating a 1200 calorie diet with no exercise equal losing weight equivalent to what I lost when I was able to work out? I know a big part of the gym is being able to tone but I think it aided in the weight loss the first time. I have cut out my stress eating once I was able to realize I did it. I just want to lose weight significantly until I am able to go back into the gym which could take some time. I guess what I am asking is how great of an impact to weight loss is the diet portion Vs weight portion. ( For Example: Lose 10 lbs a month on caloric deficit and 15 lbs a month with both )

Thanks!

hamstertango

Hi,
I can't answer your question in full but just to tell you that I lost on average 2lb a week with 1200 calories (or some weeks averaging 1300 cals a day over a week) through diet and dog walking (albeit across challenging terrain in the woods)
I only had 36lbs to lose and down to final 7.5lbs. So just to say it can be done without the gym.
However I realised my body may be thinner but will look better through strength training so have just started bodyweight exercises at home using this training programme (as no time for gym) http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

There's a great thread you can read for motivation in success stories; show me before and after from just counting calories (not sure how to post a link to this from phone app sorry!)

concordancia

Eating less than you burn us the only factor. The same deficit will result in the same weight loss.

This means that to see the same results, you would have to eat less than last time. However, make sure that you are eating enough for proper nutrition, even if that means slower loss.

lorrpb

Lots of people have lost weight with no exercise. The risk is loss of muscle and strength, as well as loss of overall fitness levels. Can you walk in addition to taking the kids to school? Also consider whether you can use lighter weights or body weight to work on the body areas not affected by the injury. Many people who are confined to wheelchairs find ways of working out and strengthening. I think you'll be much happier with the end result.

SonyaCele

there are 3500 calories per pound, so every time your exercise workouts accumulate a total of 3500 calories you will theoretically lose one pound.

rileysowner

Weight loss is about calorie deficit. Exercise does not have to be done at all. It is for other health factors, and in the case of cardio, to allow a person to eat somewhat more. Every study I have seen trying to produce weight loss with exercise only ends up showing little results. It is far easier to product a calorie deficit with controlling calories in rather than calories out.

sabulaboys4

I lost 74 pounds so far without excercise. I just started getting out to walk some last week since the weather was a little warmer. And not an extraordinary amount of walking either. I've only gone over 10000 steps 3 times I think

jgnatca

I lost my first twenty pounds with very little exercise as my mobility was quite limited. Watch your calories, learn new ways to relax, and you are golden.

Abrandnewme55

Thank you all so much. Was worried that I would attempt just the diet portion and get discouraged that there was not a loss as I had previously with combining the gym with the diet. You have all given me hope to at least get a good start just on the diet portion.

oocdc2

Just a PS: it's going to take much longer than before. I lost seventy pounds with just diet, but it took a little more than a year to do. Make sure to be patient.