Loosing weight with no excersise ?

BigBottomBabeMFP

Hello lovely people.

I have recently started my MFP jounrney and have a year and a half untill inget married.

My question is ...is anyone doing well with food alone and no excersize ?

I will be adding in excersise soon however i would like to shift a bit before so i dont lug this heavy body too soon .

Personal experiences much apreciated

Xx

Missyjules1974

I know lots of people who have shifted lots of weight without much exercise but a lot of them end up with excess skin that's saggy and then they can't do anything about it.... so yes yo can do it but it would be better if you could incorporate both. Good luck! Xx

hollyrayburn

Exercise isn't requires for weight loss, only a calorie deficit.

Weight loss is in the kitchen, and fitness is in the gym.

cwolfman13

It makes things harder...

I'd suggest walking...you don't have to go crazy with all kinds of stuff...just start walking and moving...you can do other stuff later. There's no reason to wait to start doing something.

leanjogreen18

^^^This.

I started walking 15 min 3x a week. What it did was 3 very important things...

I could see improvement in my breathing - from gasping for air after 15 min to no issues
My mood improved, I felt better
I gained confidence because saw progression from 15 min to walking a 5k in less than 2 months.

I didn't push myself. I literally downloaded the my fitness pal app turned it on and walked laps in the mall pushing my granddaughter in a stroller.

Having said all that OP I don't want to push you into something you are not ready for. Yes you can lose weight without exercising, but you will see more benefits if you add just walking:).

Gallowmere1984

I cut from 195 to 150 in about five and a half months while mostly sedentary. It's easily doable. It's much easier to remove 1000 calories from your daily intake than it is to burn 1000 extra via exercise, for example.

xWendyJonesx

I lost the majority of my weight in the beginning by watching what I ate and walking, I did't go to the gym or do any exercise classes.

Good luck

fitoverfortymom

I started with just walking the dog 2x per day until I felt I had some success under my belt and felt like adding more walking. I have escalated to some strength DVDs and jogging on the treadmill.

I went into the whole thing of doing very little exercise because I felt like I was toting around too much weight. As you lose, your body will be able to move more...so you do. Just start with the things you CAN do, and go from there.

Whitezombiegirl

30lbs down, no exercise and no loose skin.

TigerLily100

I can shift weight no bother without exercise, but it does mean eating only 1200kcal a day for me. I will loose 1 1/2 to 2lb a week eating at that amount.
So yes possible, exercise helps an awful lot though as it means you can eat more, which is really important for those that feel hungry all the time.
I don't have a problem with hunger, within a week to 10 days of starting on 1200 a day I get used to it and don't get hungry.
Give it a go and see how you get on, you can always add additional activity if it's not working.

oliverwnc

Hi there and happy new year!

I rarely comment but I find this topic really interesting so wanted to weigh in (no pun intended). I do agree with the various comments above, such as Gallowmere's, which say that it's easier to eat less than exercise more. It probably is. But let's start at the beginning because I think there's a bit more to it than we sometimes think and hope.

There is no doubt that the way one loses weight is by achieving a calorie deficit. In other words, total energy (calories) burned naturally by your body and through exercise needs to be greater than the amount of energy you are consuming in food.

Let's say your body naturally burns 1500kcal in a day and your normal activity puts it up at 1900kcal. If you cut your food down to consume only 1400kcal per day, you would probably lose weight. For much of my life when I've been too busy to add much cardio, that is what I have done. It's also what I often recommend to clients who just want the easiest route. A few food swaps here and there, a couple of good alternative recipes and a little restraint - it really isn't too hard.

However... I think there are three main counter arguments.

1) Weight loss is not the same as better health, and to be honest we should really give health some attention. Having a good body is great, as is everything that comes with it - motivation, confidence, new clothes, whatever floats your boat. But if you're tired going up stairs or breaking into a light jog for a bus then it really isn't great. For me, if I've not done any cardio for a while and then I'm getting too tired doing things like running around with my dog or playing with my younger relatives (or, of course, playing sport competitively), then I think that's gone too far.

2) If you're doing cardio, you can eat more and that is just all round better for your state of mind while trying to lose weight. If you're burning even just 300kcal more then that's quite easily an additional meal in your day, or a tonne of popcorn to snack on, or 3 pieces of fruit, or a small brownie... I could go on. Also, it may sound silly, but if you're out walking in the park for 1.5hrs, that's time in which your mind is elsewhere and you aren't eating. Conversely, if you're sitting at home all day feeling a bit peckish and a bit food deprived, that's quite a struggle. Sometimes, I have some breakfast and then a 2-3 hours later - when I'm starting to think about having a snack - I take the dog to the park for an hour. By the time I'm home, I might have a hot drink and then it's only an hour or so until lunch. It's

3) In my opinion, doing some cardio while cutting really helps with body composition and losing fat rather than muscle. I actually maintain at about 2500kcal. If I drop down to 2000kcal and keep my activity fairly low then I don't think I look as good as if I eat 2500kcal but burn 3000kcal. There are some studies to this effect, but I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has any experience of this.

So, enough. This is a long post. But really I'd recommend both. Drop your calories by 250 per day and increase your activity by 250 per day, perhaps. It doesn't have to be running, swimming, cycling, HIIT, treadmills or anything you don't like. I'd strongly advocate finding a form of exercise you enjoy. For me, it's football, swimming or cricket. But short of that, go for a brisk walk in a park.

Good luck and hope this helps to some extent!

AllOutof_Bubblegum

I lost 30 of my 40 lbs lost with nothing more than decreasing my calorie intake. After 30 lbs lost my butt was starting to droop off my back and I freaked out and joined a gym that same week

SCoil123

You can absolutely lose weight through diet alone but you will also lose more muscle if you are doing nothing to maintain it.

For me I started this journey and joined My Fitness Pal because I wanted to be fit, not thin. They aren't the same thing. I guess it comes down to long term goals.

crzycatlady1

Missyjules1974 wrote: »

I know lots of people who have shifted lots of weight without much exercise but a lot of them end up with excess skin that's saggy and then they can't do anything about it.... so yes yo can do it but it would be better if you could incorporate both. Good luck! Xx

I lost 50lbs with no intentional exercise and have no saggy skin, even almost 4 years into maintenance now (still no intentional exercise).

OP, I had no problems losing the extra weight only focusing on my calorie intake

JaydedMiss

I lost my first 50 without exercise at all. Even now i walk. Thats it. Its amazing to get the extra food to eat so i walk whenever possible My jobs pretty active though i guess but its a new thing.

Firedrake2001

One thing to keep in mind is that right now you have more muscle than you would at a lower weight at the same activity level. You are effectively carrying around X pounds of weights all day (X being however many extra pounds you want to lose) and your body has built up the muscles to handle that. As you start to lose weight, but do not increase your activity level, you will start to lose that muscle - your body won't use resources to maintain muscle that you don't use.

If you start exercising as you start losing weight, you will keep more of that muscle. I've seen a number of posts from people who regretted waiting to start exercising because they lost a lot of muscle while losing weight and it was hard to rebuild that muscle.

humpbackgirl

to me, it just makes it harder to expend calories. plus exercise is really really good for you

lkpducky

hollyrayburn wrote: »

Weight loss is in the kitchen, and fitness is in the gym.

I've seen this mentioned on several occasions. Does this mean that any caloric deficit from exercise should be ignored?

jgnatca

@lkpducky you may count the deficit from exercise but it's not as much as you might think. My thirty minute brisk walk earns me a cookie. That's it.

That thirty minute brisk walk also earns me greater stamina.

Weight loss in the kitchen.

Fitness in my sneakers.

goldthistime

I need to include exercise to keep my spirits up, otherwise I'm more likely to turn to food. I've only once successfully lost weight without exercise but that was for a short period of time while some strain or sprain healed. If your joints bother you because of your extra weight, look for low impact exercise (like elliptical or rowing or stationary cycling), and consider adding some strength training.

Tacklewasher

lkpducky wrote: »

hollyrayburn wrote: »

Weight loss is in the kitchen, and fitness is in the gym.

I've seen this mentioned on several occasions. Does this mean that any caloric deficit from exercise should be ignored?

As @jgnatca said, it means that you will have a much easier time eating 200 less calories then trying to burn off the 200 calories.

For example, I've bought the individual lasagna's from Costco. 440 calories per tray. So, by eating 1/2 at lunch, I've saved 220 calories. It's easier, at least it is for me, to do that then to do a 1/2 hour on the treadmill.

Having said that, I try to do both. I typically do ~30 mins on the treadmill daily so I'm in better shape. The ~200 cals burned are a bonus, but being able to walk the dogs, of go up stairs adds a lot to my well being. And on days when I want the extra glass of wine, I know it costs me a 1/2 hour of treadmill time.

Just be careful eating back exercise calories as most are overestimated.

Christine_72

lkpducky wrote: »

hollyrayburn wrote: »

Weight loss is in the kitchen, and fitness is in the gym.

I've seen this mentioned on several occasions. Does this mean that any caloric deficit from exercise should be ignored?

Definitely not. I'm currently eating at goal weight maintenance/sedentary calories and creating a deficit with exercise. So, all i'm doing is not eating any/many exercise calories back. For me, it's easier to create a deficit with exercise than it is to eat less.

LAWoman72

I absolutely lost weight without exercising.

And this time I am exercising, and am a size smaller at the same weight with a defined waist instead of a boxy shape.

anl90

The food/calories you intake plays the biggest role in losing weight, but some activity should be incorporated. Personally, I try to map out even just a small route and get in a walk every day. It has helped me tremendously in the past.

middlehaitch

If you are not ready to exercise yet that is fine.

Sometimes one needs to take baby steps.

Get a good handle on your logging and food choices. You can eat anything so long as you stay within your calorie limit that you set in MFP. A digital food scale will help you. You may have to adjust your food choices to feel satisfied on less calories

There has been talk of muscle loss upthread, if you are not exercising yet try to get .8-1g protein per lbs of your ideal body weight. This will not be as effective as exercising as well, but a good protein level will help with muscle retention.

Cheers, h.

Therealobi1

hollyrayburn wrote: »

Exercise isn't requires for weight loss, only a calorie deficit.

Weight loss is in the kitchen, and fitness is in the gym.

You dont actually have to keep fit in the gym. i did a good job in my small living room.

Therealobi1

i started exercising and logging together. for me it just came hand in hand
i just did 20 mins every day. looking back i probably should have just walked as the pain was awful sometimes.
you really dont have to exercise but it has so many benefits
walking is a great way to start
good luck

unsuspectingfish

I prefer The Oatmeal's method, tbh: do ridiculous amounts of exercise so I can eat whatever the hell I want when I'm actually hungry.

Missyjules1974

crzycatlady1 wrote: »

Missyjules1974 wrote: »

I know lots of people who have shifted lots of weight without much exercise but a lot of them end up with excess skin that's saggy and then they can't do anything about it.... so yes yo can do it but it would be better if you could incorporate both. Good luck! Xx

I lost 50lbs with no intentional exercise and have no saggy skin, even almost 4 years into maintenance now (still no intentional exercise).

OP, I had no problems losing the extra weight only focusing on my calorie intake

That's really great but it is a risk and it is dependant upon how much you lose and how quickly etc. If you lose quickly, don't have very elastic skin with lots of collagens find yourself with really saggy skin the. Short of surgery or regaining in the weight it's irreversible. My friend lost loads of weight, is really healthy and runs marathons etc but she has so much excess skin now it makes her self conscious.

jennypapage

i lost my first 25kgs with no exercise. then the following 15 with exercise. it helps when you get closer to your goal weight for sure.

healthybearey

I didn't focus on exercise in the beggining of my journey to weight loss and i did still loose weight! But, I have been incorporating exercises and weight training recently as there is a lot of benefits to doing so! Plus, it makes me feel good once I finish a workout