Question on working out, and low carb vs low calorie

mjcbills1980

Curious if anyone has lost weight without going to the gym? Thinking of cancelling my gym membership due to $$$ and walking or just moving around the house more. Also, I struggle between thinking I should count calories and be hungry at times, or do low carb, like Atkins, and not be as hungry without having to count calories? Any thoughts or advice?

malibu927

You don’t have to exercise to lose weight. Just stick to the calorie goal MFP provides you.

Why not count calories in a moderate deficit (you most likely don’t have to drop down to the minimum amount) while focusing on a low carb diet that satiates you?

kgeyser

I find exercise helpful in losing weight, but if I felt like the gym was too pricey for what I was getting, I would ditch the membership and do something at home. Fitness blender has plenty of free workouts you could do if you wanted to continue exercising.

As for diet, losing weight is about eating fewer calories than you burn, how you achieve that is up to you. Many people find counting calories helps them do that regardless of how they eat. Even people who eat low carb may need to count calories to lose. However, I think finding a way of eating that works for you is probably the best thing you can do for long term success, and that means figuring out which foods fill you up, which foods do nothing for you, and what works for your life. It doesn't have to be one thing or another, pull from both low carb and calorie counting if that will keep you on track.

kommodevaran

I lost weight fine without a gym.

If you can lose weight just by eating in a particular way, great, do that. Most people in here count calories, at least initially.

I think that feeling hungry sometimes is normal, healthy and enjoyable. I also think that if you're suffering from hunger, you're doing it wrong. MFP gives you a healthy calorie target, and you're supposed to eat back some exercise calories too, if you exercise. You can track macros to help balance your diet better.

Hunger is subjective, but it's also individual, situational and habitual. Have you tried Atkins/low carb, and compared hunger levels with just counting calories, at the same amount of calories?

I also think that boredom and cravings, not hunger, is the real threat to dieting. You can eat the most perfect diet nutritionally, but if you hate it, feel deprived, or just miss something you're used to, you're not going to stick to your diet. And stick to you must, if you want to succeed. And then not overeat later, if you want to keep it off.

I'm for anything in moderation.

shannonprovenzano2812

Losing weight is 80% what you eat, 20% exercise. You'll lose weight just fine without a gym. Just stay within your calories and be as active as possible. Walk when you can, park further away from stores when shopping, etc.

I don't have a gym membership. I bum off of my friend who has a PF black card and walk around the perimeter at my job during breaks and lunches.