Do I have to exercise?

Sweetredpoison

Hi All,

I'm pretty new to MFP. I'm really out of shape, and frankly lazy. I have one of those 9 to 5pm desk jobs. I really don't like exercise but I know I have to incorporate it in my daily life. I am not a morning person, and the thought of having to wake up extra early to exercise is looking impossible. Do you think it would be okay just to watch what I eat first and then start exercising? What did you all do?

JenAndSome

You can absolutely lose weight without exercising. All you have to do is eat at a calorie deficit. I personally prefer exercising so I can eat more calories while staying at a deficit.

lisamarie1780

Yes you can lose weight without exercising but if you want to take care of your health and not just your weight then I would definitely incorporate some regular activity.

shelllord

Hi, it depends on how much you have to lose, i am not overweight so if i just diet i dont lose anything i stay the same, but if i exercise i can lose , plus i think once ou start you kind of get addicted to the feeling after you have worked out, it makes you feel slimmer too x

Chief_Rocka

You'll have better results if you try hard.

Hope this helps, good luck. :flowerforyou:

I_Will_End_You

You can lose weight without exercise, but you'll probably be happier with the results (and feel better) if you do. You don't have to workout in the morning, btw. I don't work out until 8-9 at night. It's all the same.

BeachIron

You have to set your own goals

Escape_Artist

Diet = Makes you look good with clothes on
Diet + Exercise = Makes you look good naked as well

mtnrvn

You can but I think it helps to improve your metabolism and health to do some activity. I started a 2 minute morning drill (Men's/Women's Health) right out of bed...just 2 minutes but I really notice an effect. 8 exercises 15 seconds each. I sit all day and now I force myself to do 2 minute workoust during the day. I can do three and at end of day you have done 8-10 minutes of activity and it helps.....there are all sorts of mini workouts that you can do. Good luck.

TwinsRaGift

I lost quite a bit of weight without exercise several years ago. When I got on the scale I had the desired weight I wanted, but I noticed my body still looked flabby. So....yes...it is possible to lose pounds without exercise, but your body will not look as good without the exercise.

NovemberJune

Hi All,

I'm pretty new to MFP. I'm really out of shape, and frankly lazy. I have one of those 9 to 5pm desk jobs. I really don't like exercise but I know I have to incorporate it in my daily life. I am not a morning person, and the thought of having to wake up extra early to exercise is looking impossible. Do you think it would be okay just to watch what I eat first and then start exercising? What did you all do?

You definitely don't have to exercise. But I agree that you'll get better results if you do. You can eat more, maintain more muscle mass as you lose, and there are health benefits of course
You might also find that you fall in love with a certain type of exercise. I hated exercise in the beginning but now I love it . I'm super happy to have a hobby that keeps me feeling good (physically and mentally) and looking good.

jerryvo

I think too many people forget losing weight and being healthy are two different things and they don't have to be mutually exclusive.

If we are talking strictly about weight loss as long as you have a calorie deficit you will lose weight. If your net goal for weight loss is 1200 calories a day and you eat 1200 calories of snickers bars every day and sit on your butt and do nothing you will lose weight but it is not being healthy.

A balanced diet is a good place to start and if you can hit your calorie deficit numbers by only eating less then go for it but I think you will find like I do you would have to eat like a bird to hit that number and that really sucks. I would much rather take a 30 minute run and gain a few extra hundred calories so I can have a treat or a more substantial meal.

There are also plenty of other health benefits to exercise which I am sure you know so I wont lecture you.

Remember weigh loss is ONLY about a calorie defecit but that does not = being healthy

taso42

No. You don't have to shower, brush your teeth, or wash your underwear either.

Gearjammer71

I know right where you're coming from. I have an 8-6 high pressure desk job, and it's hard to carve out the time to exercise without it being at the expense of something else. The good news is that you can absolutely lose weight without it. It will take a while longer, so you'll need some patience, and discipline. That's a totally different type of exercise; mental versus physical. I've found that exercise cutting in to something else has been totally worth it though. I'm actually going to try and get up an hour earlier so that I can exercise twice a day.

determinedbutlazy

No but you might look a bit sexier and be able to eat a little more if you do? And be healthier!

Donald_Dozier_50

My first three months here I used both diet and exercise within my ability (disabled) and lost 67 lbs.

My last 6 weeks, due to injury I have had to rely on diet alone and lost 2 lbs.

You choose.

There is no requirement that exercise be an early morning thing, any time of the day is fine.

ladypitek

When I first began MFP I didn't exercise for months and was only watching what I ate. After losing 30 pounds though my body had adjusted to eating at a calorie deficit and I needed to incorporate exercise to continue seeing results. It's more difficult to exercise when you're heavier anyway, in my opinion. But once the weight starts coming off you're going to be physically lighter and more energetic naturally, and you're going to WANT to start exercising to get quicker results. Just go slow and don't jump into anything, in my experience people who do this crash and burn really quickly, get frustrated and give up. Incorporate the changes little by little and they become a part of your new lifestyle rather than a "diet" or temporary phase just to lose weight.

sandobr1

I lost probably the first 30-38 pounds with very little exercise, and when I did it was only walking and some at home yoga and a few runs at some DVD's, but really not that much. Now that I exercise and lift the weight is coming off much slower. I don't particularly love to exercise but I do like to roller skate and take this deep water exercise class, I also do Zumba with my daughter and a neighbor so that keeps me going and motivated. I am wanting to do more lifting in the fall and hope to find a trainer to help me do The New Rules of Lifting for Women. I often think back to losing without exercise as it came off so much faster, but now that I am closer to goal I know it is necessary, and I will say I definitely feel better and look better from it.

TheEffort

You don't have to exercise to lose weight as long as you maintain a calorie deficit. I've achieved better results by incorporating exercise.

laserturkey

You can definitely lose weight without exercising but when you work out you get to eat more and if you lift weights, your body will look much better.

BlueBombers

You don't have to in order to lose weight as long as you lower your caloric intake.

I started by doing both...exercise and caloric deficit.

I too HATED exercising and have a full-time desk job but I made myself do it, no excuses. It's amazing what changes in 6 months. Now, I look foward to my workouts...I love them. I find they are such a huge stress reliever and I have so much more energy now than I used to have. Also, you will look A LOT better.

I started with pure cardio and that helped the weight drop but I was still flabby. Now that I have added weight lifting to my routine my body is starting to firm up a lot and the inches are coming off a lot quicker. I look so much better now and I have a confidence now that I haven't had in a long time.

Exercise is a bonus for your health, I would recommend it. Just start off slow, start with a walk and build from there.

ascrit

Hi All,

I'm pretty new to MFP. I'm really out of shape, and frankly lazy. I have one of those 9 to 5pm desk jobs. I really don't like exercise but I know I have to incorporate it in my daily life. I am not a morning person, and the thought of having to wake up extra early to exercise is looking impossible. Do you think it would be okay just to watch what I eat first and then start exercising? What did you all do?

Exercise does not have to be a chore, there has to be some kind of physical activity that you would enjoy. Keep in mind that the human body was designed for activity and beyond the positive physical improvements that come from being active there are emotional/mental benefits as well. Being active and/or working out always makes me feel great, like I accomplished something.

Good luck to you!

Donald_Dozier_50

Hi All,

I'm pretty new to MFP. I'm really out of shape, and frankly lazy. I have one of those 9 to 5pm desk jobs. I really don't like exercise but I know I have to incorporate it in my daily life. I am not a morning person, and the thought of having to wake up extra early to exercise is looking impossible. Do you think it would be okay just to watch what I eat first and then start exercising? What did you all do?

Exercise does not have to be a chore, there has to be some kind of physical activity that you would enjoy. Keep in mind that the human body was designed for activity and beyond the positive physical improvements that come from being active there are emotional/mental benefits as well. Being active and/or working out always makes me feel great, like I accomplished something.

Good luck to you!

Very good advice. So very true.

Camera_BagintheUK

You can be active without exercising - you could walk to work or walk part the way (get off the bus a couple of stops early for example). Make a point of getting up from your desk regularly - run errands, make drinks for colleagues, volunteer to clear out the stationery cupboard to move more. You could write a list of all the jobs that you never get round to doing in the house and garden and aim to do one every evening - it's not going to stretch you as much as running or swimming or training, but it's better than being totally sedentary and as you get more active you'll get fitter and want to do more.

I used to swim 3 mornings a week but I lost my job so can't afford it any more. I like swimming, and I miss it. I don't like running, and I'm not a gym type. I do walk, and I ride a bike, so try to do some of that as much as possible, and I work in the garden and house which is better than nothing. I've lost 2 stone mainly on counting calories. But when I do do something active, it just means I have extra calories to eat something nice or have a treat, and it means my heart is kept on its toes.

FaitheSoler

Just like everyone has said yes you can but losing weight without exercise = SAGGY SKIN....
If I was in your situation here is what I do Stretch in the morning before work.
Try my best to make sure I at least try to workout 30 minutes a day.
Here is a good web page for desk jobs exercise..
http://greatist.com/fitness/deskercise-33-ways-exercise-work

UpstateK8

I've been here a month and have not really focused on exercise....YET. For now I need to research food, and really learn how to cook and prepare things. I'm getting light exercise in (walking my dogs, biking, and or cleaning). I do plan to amp up the exercise as I get more comfortable with the food aspect because I do want to look fit as well as lean. I say, you're welcome to do what feels right for you. If that's not exercising now, so be it. However, I do think it's worth considering down the line. Good Luck!

bcattoes

Do you think it would be okay just to watch what I eat first and then start exercising? What did you all do?

No, I do not think that would be okay. Yes, you can lose weight without exercise, but it's highly unlikely that you'll remain healthy without it.

I too have a desk job and am not a morning person. I workout after work, but you can use your breaks and/or lunch at work to get in exercise. Take a walk. Close your door (if you have one) and do squats, lunges, desk pushups, walk in place, whatever. Use the bathroom on a different floor and take the stairs. Park further from the door. Just move more. Sitting all day is bad for your health. It's not okay no matter how thin you are.

treehugginmom

You don't have to, you can lose weight (slowly) without it. But don't you want to look toned and feel great? That's where the workouts work their magic! For me, I get through my daily workouts by hooking up my mp3 with my favorite music, it's a great motivator.

Sweetredpoison

This sounds manageable. Maybe I just need to develop a routine and stick with it! Thanks!

Sweetredpoison

I've been here a month and have not really focused on exercise....YET. For now I need to research food, and really learn how to cook and prepare things. I'm getting light exercise in (walking my dogs, biking, and or cleaning). I do plan to amp up the exercise as I get more comfortable with the food aspect because I do want to look fit as well as lean. I say, you're welcome to do what feels right for you. If that's not exercising now, so be it. However, I do think it's worth considering down the line. Good Luck!

That is kind of what I wanted to do. Maybe losing weight will be a motivation to workout! Thanks

rainydays5

, plus i think once ou start you kind of get addicted to the feeling after you have worked out, it makes you feel slimmer too x

I have to agree here. I struggled with exercise too. I tried walking/jogging outside, on the treadmill, dvds and more but never liked anything until I got my bike. I started out with small bike rides with the kids but now I can not wait to go on the rides by myself. I love climbing the big hills and the great feeling of accomplishment when I do. The reward of going back down the hills really makes it worth it. The other day I went on my longest ride to date, 14.64 miles. I only stopped twice for 1 minute a piece and did it in less than 2 hours. I have felt so great after that!
My advice is to try different things until you find something you love.