Do I have to go to gym to lose weight?

egreene718

I wanted your opinions on if it is necessary to have a gym membership to lose weight. I do go running about 3/4 times a week.would be enough. I have been eating better not perfect but better.anyone had success with just eating right n jogging?

petithamu

I was too embarrassed to go to the gym when I first started losing weight 4 1/2 months ago so I did Jillian Michaels' DVD at home, mixing walking about 2 - 3x a week. I lost a good 15lbs doing this so no, you do not need to go the gym to lose weight.

MyNameIsNotBob

The short answer is, no, you don't have to join a gym. You don't even have to exercise to lose weight, as long as you keep a calorie defecit.

Having said that, going to the gym is essential for *my* weight loss. I wouldn't be active enough without the choices it offers me.

soccermom004

Can't afford a gym here but I've lost 30 pounds and 6 inches since the beginning of Jan. I used exercise dvd's, a set of hand weights, and run. Works for me! Good luck!

Time2BSkinny

No you don't. I actually just cancelled mine because it's starting to get nice out and I know I will be running outside If it isn't nice I will be using exercise on demand, youtube videos, and be doing toning exercises.

Good luck to you!

KellyBurton1

Dont have a gym where I live, I think Im getting along without one. Just invest into some handweights and some good excerise video's.

lnadeau66

We don't even have a gym in the area. I have a treadmil in the basement, I do a few different dvd workouts, and I LOVE to walk, even when the thermometer hits -30! I've lost 30 pounds since January, and have 6 left to go. Good Luck :flowerforyou: Lynn

Fattack

You don't need to go to the gym to lose weight. Technically, you don't even need to exercise to lose weight.
Personally, my gym membership is responsible for my weight loss and contributes my emotional well-being and social interaction. I LOVE IT!

Fliegenschwein

I cancelled my Gym membership as all I ever used was the treadmill and its much cheaper (and nicer) to run outside

funkythreads2004

You dont have too. Save the money you would spend at the gym for a nice treat later on. I swim at my local pool twice a week and log all the walking to school and back with my son. Even housework can be counted, but its your choice...

jessie580

You don't need to go to the gym to lose weight. Technically, you don't even need to exercise to lose weight.
Personally, my gym membership is responsible for my weight loss and contributes my emotional well-being and social interaction. I LOVE IT!

I would have to agree here!

I have tried a million times to lose weight, since I was a teenager.
going to the gym has been fantastic for my weight dropping and my emotional well-being has been great.
It gets me out of the house and sweating!

also long walks in the park help too.

I couldn't do this without my gym membership.
I enjoy it way too much

makeachange22

i go to the gym once a week, and try and get some cardio/ stretches in as much as i can at home i barely do. i've lost 27lbs just eating healthy in the last month and a half.. so no you don't have to, but once i lose 20lbs more ill be heading to the gym to tone myself up

phinners

I wanted your opinions on if it is necessary to have a gym membership to lose weight. I do go running about 3/4 times a week.would be enough. I have been eating better not perfect but better.anyone had success with just eating right n jogging?

I dont go to the gym - I'm not forking out shed loads ot be looked at and laughed at by the skinny gym bunnies. And I know it happens because there are threads on here laughing at people in the gym!

So I work out at home with my dvds and HRM and I much prefer that. Plus I have a 6 month old baby at home.

melissa0001

No gym member ship and 46 lbs later....lots of jillian michaels dvd, walking, jogging, stationary bike riding......it can be done with determination

chrissyh

Some strength training will help tone, build some muscle and in turn I think you burn more in your runs too. But you don't have to do it at a gym.

Tons of options out there - DVDs, internet workout plans, etc. etc. Do what you like!

CarrieAbbey

Nope you don't. I don't have a gym membership and I've lost 36 lbs, and over 20 inches. I do think you should incorporate some strength training with your cardio. I've purchased some small hand weights and weighted gloves to use and they are awesome. I do some of Jillian Michaels DVD's and they are great and less than $10 each. Good luck.

talysshade

I lost my first 3 pounds without exercising at all, after that i just wanted to exercise so i started, but you definitely don't have to. Home dvd's, exercises, jogging hell even cleaning works! It's most important that you stick to MFP's daily calorie goal and you'll be fine.

meggonkgonk

MFP is set up so that you will lose without any activity at all- eat as close to your calorie goal as possible and you will lose. (Contingent upon being honest and accurate in your diary and weighing and measuring of food also).

But being active is an important part of your overall health- So running at home is great!

But for working out- I HATE the gym. I hate the crappy music, and space filled with stinky people and the feeling that my workout is being judged. I'm super competative so when I see those super tiny girls doing all of the typical super tiny girl workouts, for me it just makes the entire experience feel like a fail.

For plenty of people the membership fee is is what keeps them working out, what motivates them to keep going.

So NO you don't need a gym membership. You are being active at home and that is great! Possibly consider adding some body weight strength routines to your workout (I like Nerd Fitness beginner circuit- google it for a beginner body weight exercise routine) to supplement your cardio. But other than that, stick to your cals (not 300 below, not 400 over ) and you will be fine.

egreene718

Exactly. Its because its getting nice out n I know I would rather be outside. I was never embarrassed to go to the gym I just know I wont go as often.

egreene718

No you don't. I actually just cancelled mine because it's starting to get nice out and I know I will be running outside If it isn't nice I will be using exercise on demand, youtube videos, and be doing toning exercises.

Good luck to you!

Thanks...it is getting nice out n I rather be outside

bcmallwalker

I can't afford a gym membership, though I would like to go. I didn't even exercise the first 10 months of my weight loss journey. Then I started walking 5-6 days a week. This past fall a friend loaned us a recumbent exercise bike, so I started using that. I logged 400 miles in May alone. I ride it every day for at least 50 minutes. Now that it is nice I will start walking/running outside some days. I also just got boxing gloves, a heavy bag and a speed bag for Mothers Day. I am starting with 15 min. heavy bag workouts a day. It all depends on you and how motivated you are and what works for you. I know that I'll only do workouts that are fun, so that is what I try to incorporate.

Best wishes! :flowerforyou:
Debbie

PokenStick

Nutrition is so much more important for weight lose then exercise. I'm not saying you shouldn't exercise of course, but doing recreational stuff will suffice. Running, playing tennis, golf, whatever. Just be more active and eat right. Simple equation.

OLP76

Dec 6 2010 - May 16 2011 - I have lost a total of 42 lbs...!
WITHOUT a gym membership!

I have done Power90 & P90X LEAN videos at home & I cleaned eat while I was doin' it....

Gym membership I'm sure is good - IF you use it every single day & do 100% at the Gym....
Best of luck in what you do...!

bkthomas2004

Not at all. I've lost 35 pounds by walking constanly, doing home workouts and dvd's, I invested in some hand weights and an exercise ball. At the very beginning of my weight loss journey I would go to the gym in my apartments and use the elliptical but it started to get boring. So nope. No gym is needed to lose. I actually saw a post somewhere that a lady lost 60 lbs I believe and didn't step one foot in a gym and she toned up and everything.

UltraRunnerGale

No, you don't have to go to a gym. That being said, I must go for the cross-training options and motivation factors. If you only run, you only use "running" muscles. You also run the risk of overuse injuries. Now, you can do cross-training on your own. Get a video like some of these guys have, get a few sets of weights, ride a bike if you have one. It's really important to work other muscles. I know this for a fact as I have started working my upper body more than I ever have in the past. I ran a half marathon last Sunday and for the first time in 9 years, I wasn't slumping at the end of the race. Also, the more I work my quads (think cycling), the less sore my legs are after putting in long miles. My form was better and I felt strong. Cross-training is very important!! :flowerforyou:

MissAnjy

I've lost 40 lbs and counting and i've never seen the inside of a gym.