Why exercise to lose weight?

2

Replies

  • tara12riley
    tara12riley Posts: 22
    I don't always eat the all the calories back but some days I seem to be more hungry than others. I exercise because I want to firm up, I'm not getting any younger and I feel so much better when I exercise so I try to get in 45 minutes to 1 hour 6 days a week. I've only been at this site for 3 weeks and I've lost 3 pounds so far but I've lost 1 inch off my waist and hips.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    The key to weight loss is sticking with it....forever. The BEST way to do that is to not feel deprived in how much and what types of foods you are eating. An EASY way to make sure that doesn't happen, is to exercise, so you can eat more. Plus, exercise calories seem to taste WAY better because I've earned them LOL.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    I exercise for two reason.. 1. so I can eat 3500 calories a day and NOT gain a 1lb and so I don't lose lean muscle mass.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    WITHOUT exercise, a fairly large percentage of your weight loss will be from your lean muscle mass. WITH exercise, especially resistance training, you keep a larger percentage of your muscle mass.

    Since muscle is by volume heavier than fat, if the more fat you lose and the more muscle you keep, the fewer pounds you'll have to lose to become the same size.

    For instance, last time I lost weight about 6 years ago, without regular exercise (and with too large of a calorie deficit), I was a size 8 at 130 pounds. This time around, I'm a size 2 or 4 at 135 pounds. I'm the same size as I was at 120 pounds ten years ago.
  • MollyChicago
    MollyChicago Posts: 6 Member
    I exercise so I can still enjoy dessert, and still come under my calories.
  • pugsley5
    pugsley5 Posts: 38 Member
    I feel the exact same way as you sometimes,but the reality is...working out makes you feel really good:-)))
  • sweenme
    sweenme Posts: 3
    Exercise is SO important to your overall health. It fights back diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, etc. etc. Beyond that, having a greater percentage of muscle vs. body fat increases your metabolism so you'll lose weight faster. And, generally, I don't eat back most of the exercise calories I earn. I find that exercise usually reduces my appetite!
  • Angellore
    Angellore Posts: 519 Member

    I use the TDEE - have that set at sedentary... that is my baseline for eating, we must fuel our bodies to function properly.

    This is exactly what I do. I have a HRM so I then eat back the calories I burn according to that doing my exercise. I exercise 6 days a week, for around 40 minutes a day (some days longer). I either do a DVD (Jillian Michaels, Davina McCall or similar) or go for a long walk or go swimming. This is from doing barely any exercise since school. I feel so good after I finish. I suffer from depression and I believe exercise really does help alleviate the symptoms. I am sort of addicted to getting my daily exercise in now! I also notice my body becoming firmer, which I love.

    Bonus is, I get to eat aroung 2400 cals a day (TDEE at 1900cals, burning about 500cals through exercise) so I don't feel hungry and I can have yummy (but MOSTLY healthy) food. I am 5'10", 33 years old and 261lbs.
  • Leslie85
    Leslie85 Posts: 265 Member
    To me, eating right is pointless if I'm not going to work out. I have no desire to be "skinny fat." Besides, muscle burns calories, so exercise is definitely not pointless, and in my mind, no, you won't get the same results.
  • jillica
    jillica Posts: 554 Member
    You just got to know your body. I have the most success with weight loss when I exercise regularly. For me, just cutting back on calories doesn't work. Also when I exercise regularly, I tend to eat healthier.
  • denise032
    denise032 Posts: 108 Member
    WITHOUT exercise, a fairly large percentage of your weight loss will be from your lean muscle mass. WITH exercise, especially resistance training, you keep a larger percentage of your muscle mass.

    Since muscle is by volume heavier than fat, if the more fat you lose and the more muscle you keep, the fewer pounds you'll have to lose to become the same size.


    ^^ THIS ^^
  • giantruss
    giantruss Posts: 100
    "skinny people look good in clothes, fit people look great naked!" Just sayin......:wink:

    this is awsome!!... :)



    a fit toned person will burn fat more in their sleep, than some people do when they are awake.

    musle burns fat
  • hanahlai
    hanahlai Posts: 281 Member
    Exercise makes you lose "better" inches IMO. People who lose tons of weight and don't excercise....don't have the same benefits of having nice tight skin.
  • Nastasha915
    Nastasha915 Posts: 124 Member
    95% of the time I do not eat eat back the calories I've burned. I don't think you are supposed to in general. The tracking just let's you know that if you NEED to , ie if you're still hungry, you can do so and still not gain weight ...

    Do most of you really eat back teh calories you burn in exercise? I never have.

    I eat back some of my exercise calories, but not all of them. I recently got an HRM and am learning that although I'm in relatively great shape my heart beats fast, therefore I burn ALOT of calories. It takes alot of eating for me to eat them all back.
  • stellaskies
    stellaskies Posts: 161 Member
    Get fit in the gym, lose weight in the kitchen. I saw that recently on here.

    But let's be real: you exercise so you look good naked! That's enough of a reason for me.

    Also, I don't want to lose all mobility when I'm old.
  • tryinghard71
    tryinghard71 Posts: 593
    "skinny people look good in clothes, fit people look great naked!" Just sayin......:wink:

    ^^^^^^

    This!!

    Amen!
  • londoneye
    londoneye Posts: 195 Member
    for me: to be able to eat more overall and still lose

    This. It allows me wiggle room to keep on track with my calorie goals. Those extra 200/300 cals are the difference between deprivation and sustainability for me.
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
    Feel good and have new healthy habits and identity. I'm an active person now and I feel better inside and out. Weight loss and exercise are two separate parts to the whole.
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  • xPOOKiEx
    xPOOKiEx Posts: 156 Member
    As everyone else has said, it's a great thing for weight loss. You burn FAT, which you won't do just eating right...you need to be active in order to get that bad weight off.

    I can't tell you how much I've toned out since I've been exercising! It's giving me amazing results, and I guarantee you'll get the same if you exercise!!

    I was just skinny but had "fat insides" because I was so unhealthy even when eating right...my body was worn down from never getting activity in.

    Now I'm running more and more every day and can tell major changes in my body, as well as mood! :)

    Just all over good for the body!
  • muddyventures
    muddyventures Posts: 360 Member
    I wasn't eating enough initially and found that I was left without energy, was dizzy and had headaches throughout my workouts. I am just a few weeks into a calorie increase and am still struggling with the idea, but I'm not gaining, and my measurements have gone down. I enjoy my workouts more and am not as crabby. I think depending on how many calories you burn or eat (etc) you would either eat them all back or at least half. I know I'm really just trying to listen to what my body is telling me more than just what the numbers are saying.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    If your goal is not to be fit and healthy then don't exercise. Restrict your calories, stay in a deficit and you'll lose weight.



    BUT WHY SHOULD YOU EXERCISE!?!?!?!?!??!

    For all the amazing health benefits that come with exercise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    manage your weight
    manage your blood pressure
    have a strong healthy heart, lungs, bones, muscles ect............
    for longevity
    for my kids and family
    so hopefully i'm not in a scooter by the time I'm 65 (seriously I know someone who never exercised, is obese, eats crap and can't even freaking walk anymore her body is so broken down and decrepit.)
    to maintain my youth
    to be a beast
    for self confidence
    to be the cool Mom...not old and flabby in 'mom jeans'
    to be able to eat 'fun' foods and not just live on salad and ice tea
    to be strong!!!!!!
    it manages stress
    healthy body healthy mind
    because i still can!!!!!
    to feel good in my clothes
    to be able to shop for fun clothes
    to be able to eat chocolate...a lot of it

    EXERCISE IS NOT JUST FOR ESTHETICS .......IT'S FOR YOUR MIND BODY AND SOUL.
  • marieautumn
    marieautumn Posts: 928 Member
    you'll be stronger and healthier if you exercise...
  • tony2009
    tony2009 Posts: 201 Member
    Because when it comes time for me to play sports and I weight less, I'll also be able to out jump, run, and last longer than the competition.
  • Darlingir
    Darlingir Posts: 437
    the exercise helps me keep my food on track and vice versa...
  • Bri_Becq
    Bri_Becq Posts: 146 Member
    Why exercise to lose weight?

    ... hmmm...

    Who knows such things?
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    so that you can eat more?

    I guess we're forgetting that there are so many other benefits to exercise that aren't limited to aesthetics.
  • ready2tryagain42
    ready2tryagain42 Posts: 202
    I exercise to build my metabolism and feel better. Also going to the gym is somewhat social for me too. It is one of the only times I get to listen to my online books unless I am in my car. I only eat back my calories if I am hungry.
  • fatchiick
    fatchiick Posts: 105
    lol I DO NOT EAT BACK EXERCISE CALORIES.

    EXERCISE IS ESSENTIAL TO WEIGHT LOSS.

    If you work on a railroad or play some kind of professional sport as a living your daily routine is exercise enough....MOST PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THOSE TYPES OF JOBS AND MOST PEOPLE DO NOT EAT AT A CALORIE DEFICIT. SO BOTH ARE GENERALLY NEEDED FOR BEST RESULTS.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    lol I DO NOT EAT BACK EXERCISE CALORIES.

    EXERCISE IS ESSENTIAL TO WEIGHT LOSS.

    If you work on a railroad or play some kind of professional sport as a living your daily routine is exercise enough....MOST PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THOSE TYPES OF JOBS AND MOST PEOPLE DO NOT EAT AT A CALORIE DEFICIT. SO BOTH ARE GENERALLY NEEDED FOR BEST RESULTS.

    exercise is not essential to weight loss. For that all you need is a caloric deficit which can be achieved through diet alone. That being said, exercise can help you with that deficit while allowing you to eat more food and have the same deficit.

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