Do you have to workout daily to lose weight?

rybo

violetpurdy wrote: »

I'm a tad obsessive, so during my 6 month journey of weight loss so far, I've probably only missed two or three workouts. I do 40 minutes daily of cardio, burning about 300ish calories. Due to that, I eat 1500 calories.

I'm find it hard to workout every single day and I'd like to drop that to 6 times a week instead. My family also suggests I go to a therapist because of my obsession with weight loss and I have a funny feeling I'll be told to tone it down, so mind as well prepare.

What's tripping me up is how much I should eat and if it's possible to still lose weight. I'm 19, 109lbs, and 5'3 if this helps. I also have moderately active days excluding workouts. Just regular steps through the day are anywhere from 5000 to 7000 for me.

If I don't workout one day a week, should I lower my calories to 1200 since I won't have the 300 exercise ones? If I still eat 1500 even on a day I didn't workout, am I still getting a great enough deficit?

I'm just confused and stressed about this all, so some support is very much needed. Do you guys workout daily?

Thank you.

The bold cannot be overlooked. You need to see a therapist. The sooner the better.

SLLRunner

You don't have to work out at all to lose weight, you just need to eat less calories than you burn.

However, as an avid runner and weight lifter, I must say that working out has some wonderful benefits.

VividVegan

janejellyroll wrote: »

No, you don't.

In fact, you can lose weight without working out at all.

Even if you like working out, your body needs days to rest and recover.

You're approaching the bottom of a healthy weight range. Why are you eating at a deficit? What is your specific goal? It sounds like your family is worried about you and that is worth paying attention to.

Although this is true, I don't recommend losing weight without any exercise at all. I've made that mistake before in the past. The end result was bad body composition and anorexic (skinny-fat).

janejellyroll

FeedMeFish wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

No, you don't.

In fact, you can lose weight without working out at all.

Even if you like working out, your body needs days to rest and recover.

You're approaching the bottom of a healthy weight range. Why are you eating at a deficit? What is your specific goal? It sounds like your family is worried about you and that is worth paying attention to.

Although this is true, I don't recommend losing weight without any exercise at all. I've made that mistake before in the past. The end result was bad body composition and anorexic (skinny-fat).

I'm not recommending it, I am acknowledging that it can be done.

RobinvdM

With what you shared about your age, weight, height etc I wouldn't worry about losing weight. Focus instead on lifting, contouring, shaping up what you have, toning, tightening. Slap a label on it then get busy doing it. Find out your TDEE, get your nutritional macros sorted out and start working with weights to start developing yourself. Frankly you are still "growing" and your body hasn't quite reached its final shape so what you might not like right now may not be there in 5 years.

If and when you transition to weight training you are going to want to do some homework- no you won't turn into HeMan, you will transition into this amazing person who has serious lifting skills. Good luck.

stephinator92

I don't think what you need is to lose WEIGHT per say.... I think some of the unhappiness with your body could be due to the fact that you are strictly doing cardio. When you do weights, the muscle you build will be leaner than the fat, although denser. So, the number on the scale may go up, but you will end up looking smaller/leaner. Moreover, muscle burns fat, from what I understand. So, the more muscle you build, the more fat you will naturally burn. Why don't you try cutting down to doing like 3 days a week of lifting and 1-2 days of cardio? Definitely look at The New Rules of Lifting because it's fantastic.

Also - if your family is legitimately worried about you, please understand they're worried because they love you. The people commenting on this thread are worried because your weight for your height is LOW. I have a broad body frame at 5'4" and I'm shooting for 160 lbs or so. Maybe you should consider doing some more research on weight loss, consider a personal trainer/dietician, or someone that can help you to format your nutrition/exercise with your aesthetic goals. Good luck!

peaceout_aly

First off, I understand your struggle completely. I used to be a cardio bunny and strictly keep calories at a deficit just like you. I would cry when the gym closed early on holidays and freak out if I went one calorie over my daily intake. I was terrible. I was miserable, hungry and tired all the time. I had a flabby tummy but wasn't "fat". Honestly, it doesn't sound like you need to lose weight from your stats. Sounds like you should start lifting. It will give you more definition, and you won't have to do so much cardio, or eat such little amounts.

That being said, a rest day is GOOD for your body. I work out 6 x week (heavy lifting + 15 to 30-minutes of cardio) and eat anywhere from 1,400-1,600 calories per day. I've managed to gain and then maintain my weight, however my body composition is leaner than ever. Definitely give yourself a rest. Once you realize how much your body needs it and how much better you perform after a rest, you will be grateful. Also, lifting helped my fitness-OCD a lot (and home life OCD) because I realized the importance of a rest day because my body was so exhausted. My muscles really "pop" after a day of rest and good eating. Just a suggestion!

hiyomi

If many others around you are urging you to see a therapist, and you are the only one who thinks you need to lose weight, I would definitely take their advice seriously and seek some help. Don't wait! And also, just because you have fat in certain areas, does NOT mean you have to lose weight. It may simply mean you need to do some weight/resistance training to tone those areas. You are already at the low end of "healthy", any lower and you would be considered underweight. Do not go there, its not a place you want to be.

honeyseymour123

Ur not even a tad bit over weight tf... And I don't think don't that amount of cardio burns that amount of calories for the weight that you are

Timshel_

Moderate eating for weight loss.
Exercise for health.

Do both.

brb_2013

I'm not going to tell you not to diet, but hopefully you're taking a few of those comments to heart enough to know if the worries of your loved ones are warranted.

But that aside, have you looked into weight lifting?? You absolutely will not get bulky, it's just not an easy thing for the female body to do. But if you eat a little more and lift you'll see your body change shape. Skin on bones doesn't look good, but shapely muscle beneath skin looks amazing on everyone.

ridge4mfp

Stop losing weight. Start lifting AND see a therapist.