Do I really have to work out to lose weight?

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Replies

  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    In the past I have lost weight without working out. I would recommend working out for those who can do it because it's faster and better results but when you can't, you can't and that shouldn't stop you from losing weight with an eating plan alone.:smile:
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    I'm sure you're getting all kinds of expert opinions on here but here's my experience: I had to work out to lose my 70lbs back in 1987. Gained it back after I stopped working out and with a failed pregnancy in 2006. Took it off again when I started working out. Haven't stopped working out and haven't gained back since 1996. so....yes....

    Not only that...but it's pretty cool when you're 40 years old and in better shape than most of the kids on your bus. And I can do more than most ppl my age and I look younger. There's many other benefits to exercise than just weight loss. It keeps ya young!
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    I'm sure you're getting all kinds of expert opinions on here but here's my experience: I had to work out to lose my 70lbs back in 1987. Gained it back after I stopped working out and with a failed pregnancy in 2006. Took it off again when I started working out. Haven't stopped working out and haven't gained back since 1996. so....yes....

    Not only that...but it's pretty cool when you're 40 years old and in better shape than most of the kids on your bus. And I can do more than most ppl my age and I look younger. There's many other benefits to exercise than just weight loss. It keeps ya young!

    Correction...said failed pregnancy was in 1996 not 2006. I'm getting my decades mixed up lol.
  • Synapze
    Synapze Posts: 499
    Nope. Ive lost 5kg from just eating healthy in the past 3 weeks.

    Just your average days movement (walking around, doing little things) is exercise and you don't even think about it.

    Thats the way i look at it.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    Exercise is required for good health.
  • Controversial
    Controversial Posts: 157 Member
    Absolutely not. For many of us, it's essential to look good and shape our bodies to what we consider ideal. However, it is never essential for simply losing weight.
  • coverthee
    coverthee Posts: 3
    I'm so lazy to work out but for me to loose 6-10lbs a month, i have to move my *kitten* off
  • yuckidah
    yuckidah Posts: 290 Member
    It's definitely 80/20 for me or, to be perfectly honest, 90/10.
    I do no exercise but have an on-my-feet job (which I don't count of course) and have managed to lose 50lbs in a year.
    So nope, you don't *have* to work out to get weight-loss results. I really wish I was one of the people who enjoy it though.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Purely in terms of weight loss, exercise isn't needed as long as you maintain a caloric deficit. If you factor in body composition, exercise (especially strength training) is hugely beneficial. It helps preserve lean body mass, ensuring that a larger proportion of the weight lost is fat. It's the difference between arriving at your goal weight as a smaller but still flabby version of your current self vs. looking lean and aesthetic.

    Or as I've seen it put: "Diet makes you look good in clothes; strength training makes you look good naked".
  • tndejong
    tndejong Posts: 463
    you can lose weight with diet alone. but it depends how fast you want the weight off. its going to be harder to have a high enough calorie deficit to lose. with me working out an hour a day and eating 1500 calories. i lose on average a pound a day. the exercise gives me energy to keep losing more. even if you can add in 10 minutes a day. that is better then nothing. you dont have to be like these people who live at the gym. or invest in equipment in your home. i bought an elliptical and that was the best investment ever. i can turn it on and strip to my bra n undies and no one sees me. i would hate the gym atmosphere and would never go.
  • BonaFideUK
    BonaFideUK Posts: 313 Member
    Its easy to lose weight. Just eat at a caloric deficit. Basically eat less calories than what you burn off in a day. Although I would recommend also exercising. You'll look better.
  • BabyJago
    BabyJago Posts: 15 Member
    Hi,
    Exercise is a wonderful thing, but diet and counting calories is the real key to weight loss. Exercise makes you feel better, releases stress, can make you stronger...but you have to really work out at a super athletic level to make it count over diet and counting calories alone. People also tend to over estimate how effective their workout is and then wonder why they are not losing weight.

    I have been exercising for over 20 years, but weight loss seems to come more readily when I just watch what I eat. So, count your calories and try to make sure they're "good" ones - i.e. high protein, low sugar, etc.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Not only that but weight management in the future will be much easier with an elevated resting metabolic rate thanks to an increase in lean body mass (assuming you strength train). By not exercising, strength training in particular, you will be incapable of maintaining lean body mass as you age. Thus, you'll constantly be reducing calories just to maintain weight meaning far less flexibility in food choices.

    You have to ask yourself how you wish to live in the future, not just in terms of losing weight. Do you want to eat like a bird or a human the rest of your life?

    Agree with this ^^^^^^^^^
  • hsnider29
    hsnider29 Posts: 394 Member
    sounds like you are eating very poorly, too many carbs too much sugar. too much sodium, not enough fiber, protein or potassium.there are 24 hours in a day. you only sleep about 8 hours, that gives you 16 hours. subtract the hours that you work from 16 it will show you how much time in a day you have to work out.. you will never have energy if you don't eat the right stuff. also dehydration will zap your energy. try to get your water up to the recommended 8 a day at least. make sure you eat a snack a half hour before you work out. or you will continue to hate exercise. i learned that the hard way. i have to eat high fiber and protein before a work out, then i can get an hour in, if i don't i'm pushing 17 minutes. tou can lose weight by less calories, but it will take forever.

    You seemed to miss the fact that she has narcolepsy.

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