Weightloss with Diet alone?

LittleLady2012
LittleLady2012 Posts: 31
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello MFPers, because of some health conditions I am very limited to the amount of activity I can do. I understand weightloss is all about a calorie deficit. Therefore (theoretically) I should lose weight just as effectively if I just don't ingest the calories I would normally burn right?

I am 5'7"-5'8" 135 lbs and planning to eat 1200 calories. Can I lose 20-25 lbs by June?

Replies

  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    It's possible, but why would a 5'8" woman want to weigh 110 pounds?
  • tommygirl15
    tommygirl15 Posts: 1,012 Member
    It's possible, but why would a 5'8" woman want to weigh 110 pounds?

    Excellent question. I'm 5'6" and even that would be underweight for me.
  • LittleLady2012
    LittleLady2012 Posts: 31
    I will prob be happy at 115 but I have an very small frame and have ZERO muscle (even when I cross fitted 3x/week and gymnastics 2x/week. I have terrible muscle building genes I guess). I understand where your coming from but my intentions are not to look sick or make myself unhealthy!
  • schondell
    schondell Posts: 556 Member
    We have similar goal weights, I'm 5'8. Staying within your daily calorie limits WILL get you to where you want to be but you really need exercise to tone up and look solid. Otherwise, it will be skinny-fat.
  • JS268
    JS268 Posts: 78 Member
    Would body weight exercise's be enough to tone? If so which ones, how often and how much? (Sorry for all the questions!)
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    I will prob be happy at 115 but I have an very small frame and have ZERO muscle (even when I cross fitted 3x/week and gymnastics 2x/week. I have terrible muscle building genes I guess). I understand where your coming from but my intentions are not to look sick or make myself unhealthy!

    Genes don't prevent you from building muscle. Lack of food does. You need to eat more than you burn in order to gain muscle and a weight training program to enable growth.
  • GomesDavid
    GomesDavid Posts: 149
    If you can't find time to hit the gym, health experts say you're much better off finding ways to sneak short bursts of activity into your day rather than give up altogether.
  • ponos
    ponos Posts: 2
    I wondered the same thing. I did a lot of research on it a while back and convinced myself that diet is really what counts for weight loss and exercise doesn't really have an effect on "weight loss" per ce (but don't ask me for sources - I didn't write a dissertation or a research paper, I just read on my own). I came to the conclusion that exercise is the factor that maintains muscle strength and size (to some degree), however, exercise alone will not lead to weight loss. Energy restriction, on the other hand, is THE factor that produces weight loss (but it may not get you a six-pack). So...I think it is right to say that diet + some exercise can lead to a lower weight and lower body fat %; diet alone can lead to lower weight; exercise can help you gain weight and build muscle (umm..that's what exercise is all about, right? Building muscle...hypertrophy...).

    I usually lose weight easily when I keep my calories low, get lots of sleep, get plenty of protein, restrict carbs, and DON'T exercise (at least, not much). Don't forget that cortisol can prevent weight loss when the body is stressed...like when you're restricting and exercising a lot. I'm petite too and I think if a small(ish) person can lose weight without exercising it's overrated. Well, I think exercise is overrated anyway ;D

    But good luck whatever conclusion you come to - Cheers!
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    Would body weight exercise's be enough to tone? If so which ones, how often and how much? (Sorry for all the questions!)
    If you mean "tone" as in building muscle, it's going to be really hard. However, the debate is out.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    It's possible, but why would a 5'8" woman want to weigh 110 pounds?

    ^^^

    135 pounds is a healthy weight for your height.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    One thing to note, diet is for weight loss and exercise is for fitness but those who exercise maintain weight loss a lot longer than those who do not. So if there is any way to workout, it will increase your maintainability.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Would body weight exercise's be enough to tone? If so which ones, how often and how much? (Sorry for all the questions!)

    Yes. If you are just looking to tone your muscles, then body weight exercises is all you really need. As you increase your strength, you will need add more challenging versions of the exercises. Check out "You Are Your Own Gym" for some ideas.

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