Watching Calories, but no exercises?

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  • Dauntlessness
    Dauntlessness Posts: 1,489 Member
    Find out what your TDEE is to maintain your weight. Mind you, sometimes the TDEE calculators might not be accurate. Mine was like 2757 BUT I found that through trial and error its actually around 2000-2200 so my dairy is 2000.

    Create a deficit from that goal so at the end of the week you should see how "In the green" you are. It takes 3500 calories to create a pound of fat or -3500 calories to lose a pound of fat.

    So, I don't believe in 1200 calorie diets but if that's what you choose, here is an example. If your TDEE was 2000 too and you were eating 1200 calories a day thats -800 calories a day x 7 days a week that's -5600 a week so thats like an approx 1.5 pounds loss each week.

    Does that make any sense? hehe
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Im trying my hardest. :smile:
    Although I do have a couple days where I slip up.... Im trying really hard especially with the sugar part. I NEED sugar, but Im trying to keep it under control cause it can get out of hand....fast!
    I've even drempt I was eating a piece of chocolate cake....THATS how bad I want some REAL sugary chocolaty goodness!!

    I eat chocolate almost every day. You can too, if you can keep it to a moderate level. One small square of dark choco is 50 cals. Not an issue. The whole bar? 500 cals - not recommended every day. :)
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    First I agree on the dark chocolate. I have a couple of squares every night. Focus on quality, not quantity.

    Your post immediately made me think of a lovely older woman at my last church. She had some mobility issues and always had some sort of walker/cane which unfolded into a seat so she could sit when necessary. Despite the fact that she couldn't do any exercise, she was definitely slender. So, yes, it's possible. I often wondered how much she had to restrict her calories to stay that thin when she couldn't exercise though.

    I exercise a lot but I don't have the constraints you do, and I love it because it makes me feel stronger, gives me some muscles, and yes, it burns calories. My 20+-mile bike ride yesterday burned up 800 calories according to my HRM. BTW, the temperature was in the 90s and I'm 60 years old. It probably takes some getting used to, but exercising outdoors in heat isn't impossible.

    One thing you could try is a pedometer. DH and I both have FitBit Zips because if we walk enough steps per day we get points in my employer's Wellness program. I'm surprised how motivating that is. I do find myself taking the stairs more often now and I'm surprised how many steps I can get in just going out at lunch or walking around in an airport when I'm between flights.

    Good luck, whatever you decide!
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Did someone say chocolate?
  • Myxalplyx
    Myxalplyx Posts: 129 Member
    I challenged a friend of mine that was in Weight Watchers and exercising that I could lose just as much, if not more, weight by simply watching my calorie intake. I lost an average of 3lbs a week. Sometimes 2lbs though but it was consistent.

    The key thing for me was to drink a LOT of water. It helped keep me from getting hungry.

    Now, I like to exercise so I can enjoy eating more and get the same effect.
  • blackcloud13
    blackcloud13 Posts: 654 Member
    You can lose weight by keeping your calories down - but losing weight in isolation of all other considerations is not always a good idea. You can also end up eating too few calories, which has the opposite effect from what you're after.

    You are better off if you can exercise - although I understand it's difficult. Also, as others have said, max water, min sugar
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    you don't have to exercise. Use the MFP calculations..the deficit is built in, you will lose. I am concerned that you are saying "1200 or less". Don't do less. Please. You'll hurt yourself in the long run...and make it harder to lose, and harder to maintain.
  • SJVZEE
    SJVZEE Posts: 451 Member
    I'm new and wasn't sure where to put this.

    My question is this: I'm trying to stay at 1,200 calories a day or less if its possible. However, I know you have to exercise too, but even if I just watch my calorie intake, will that help me lose weight too? Or should I really exercise more?

    Its just hard to keep up with a good exercising schedule due to my night shift job, and then living with my Dad, people sleep in the living room and my rooms too small with my husband trying to sleep when I get off.
    So its hard to find a good time to actually work out and where. But I am trying to watch my calories intake....

    Thanks. And feel free to add me. :tongue:
    I could really use the encouragement and motivation, since the people around me at home aren't very supportive.

    I lost around 50lbs doing alternate day intermittent fasting, with zero exercise. Now that I'm in maintenace I do strength training and I'm training for my first 5k. Mostly because I needed new goals to work towards, that weren't weight related.

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