can you be fit without working out or exercise

garystidham1

so as of today i have lost 99.2 in just under 5 months i started at 310 now i am at 210.8 and i want to get down to 195
i dont workout now i am on my feet all day at work and i am always moving around and lifting things
the more i think about it the less practical going to a gym becomes i leave for work at 8 am and get home at 8 pm
as it is i dont have much of a social life because of work
i guess my question is can i be healthy without doing more than i am doing now

ubermensch13

Healthy is a relative term. One person's definition might not fit yours. Now if you want to know if you can be "strong" or "fit" without working out or exercise, I'd say no. You can be a healthy weight, but to get fit or build strength you need to exercise.

omma_to_3

I was ready to say no until I read your whole post. Yes, it's DEFINITELY possible to be fit and healthy while not intentionally exercising. Since you are very active at your job, that can do the same as intentional exercise. I mean, how many farmers from 100 years ago went to the gym? LOL. We, as a society, have developed exercise and gyms simply BECAUSE we no longer do strenuous manual labor in our day (for the most part).

cjh022

Sounds like you already do enough so sure! You can absolutely be healthy without "working out" but perhaps not as "fit." With results like that you seem like you've got it figured out, awesome job! This is just my opinion and weight loss will probably slow down but I don't think working out is required as long as you are remaining within your calorie allotments worst case scenario you are not happy with your progress and need to reconsider your decisions later on... good luck

elsinora

You can lose weight but you won't be "fit"

cuterbee

I was ready to say no until I read your whole post. Yes, it's DEFINITELY possible to be fit and healthy while not intentionally exercising. Since you are very active at your job, that can do the same as intentional exercise. I mean, how many farmers from 100 years ago went to the gym? LOL. We, as a society, have developed exercise and gyms simply BECAUSE we no longer do strenuous manual labor in our day (for the most part).

This was exactly my thought process as well!

Mokey41

You can be at a healthy weight but you'll probably have a higher percentage of body fat than someone who does cardio or lifts heavy. I bet you'd be surprised how little your work is actually contributing to your fitness. I worked for 5 years in a large warehouse, on my feet 10 hrs a day, lifting, moving things, pushing skids and carts. I thought I must be really fit because of that. Then I got a different job and decided to start exercising. Wow, what a surprise! I couldn't run for 60 seconds without feeling like by lungs were going to explode, 5 push ups and I was done, my legs were screaming from lunges or squats. I learned really quickly that just moving around all day really doesn't promote cardio or muscle fitness.

DanaDark

At 310, you've gained a lot of muscle mass simply carrying yourself around all the time.

As you lose weight, you'll lose some of that, but so long as you remain somewhat active and eat plenty of protein, you should retain a good portion.

cwolfman13

You can definitely lose weight without exercise and get to a healthy weight...but it doesn't necessarily mean that you're getting the nutrients you need to truly be healthy and it doesn't necessarily mean that you can't be over consuming some nutrient that can also put you in a bad place.

Your level of fitness is directly correlated to how much activity you do and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with your weight. I actually know a couple people who are overweight, but they are at the same time, very fit...they just consume more than they burn, but they can run circles around me on the track. Someone who is generally active probably has a moderate fitness level just as someone who is not active would have a very low level of fitness and someone who is very active and works out for fitness would have a very high level of fitness.

BigGuy47

I started at 306. I've dropped 115lbs. I dropped the first 60 with diet and walking alone. The weight loss was great. The muscle loss was not so great - it sucked quite frankly. I added in resistance training and haven't looked back. For me losing the weight is no longer the goal. Being fit is far more important.

DorkothyParker

If your lifestyle is very active (as you state it is) then you are getting exercise.

I have a desk job so I need to supplement with gym time. If I was a farmer, I would probably get a lot of heavy lifting and activity in through my normal day.

However, if you aren't active and you lose weight solely through calorie restriction, you aren't "fit."