So exercising and eating right to lose weight is a hoax?

You joined 2 months ago - it's possible that it's just taking your body some time to catch up to its newer, healthier self. Weight loss isn't quick and it isn't linear. I've gone a month now without a single pound, a single inch falling off. But time and patience is key here.

I don't believe it's a hoax.

I think you need to take into consideration what exactly your eating. You can eat 1200 calories of things that are bad for your body, and you won't see the kind of results you're looking for. I don't know what your routine is or what your diet is, to really make a comment on why it might not be working for you -- but overall I've learned, through my continuous attempts to lose weight and failing, that you're not going to see the pounds drip off. It doesn't work that way. You need to stick with a plan and set mini goals for yourself.

I have a hard time avoiding ALL junk food, so I keep small quantities around. This makes it easier so I don't lose control and go eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's. I also don't feel like I've had a good workout unless I'm dripping with sweat afterwards, so I workout daily.

Keep it up and maybe look at your workouts and the foods your eating to see what could be hindering your success.

Good luck!

I have hit a few spans where my calories were in goals, and I exercised. Turns out what the machines displayed I did did not accurately reflect how much I burnt, nor were my food estimates right.

That doesn't mean eating right and exercise doesn't work. Notice I switched them around? That's because eating right is the important part. If you eat right and don't exercise all that much, you can still lose weight. If you exercise your butt off, but don't eat right, it's all for naught.

i lost 23 lbs since january 2nd by dieting (eating right) and exercising vigorously. if it was a hoax, i imagine i wouldn't have seen results. in contrast, i gained a bunch of weight last year by being lazy and not exercising topped off by eating crap.

no, it isn't a hoax. it isn't the absolutely only way to lose weight, but it isn't a hoax. it is the most tested, easiest method to drop pounds. it also increases your health. what is not to like about that?

I've always been told that you need to eat right (ie, no junk) and exercise to lose weight and be healthy.

But the more I read about it, the more I realize it just really doesn't seem accurate. It's no wonder it's so hard to diet for some people. You take the right steps, cut all junk, start to exercise... and you still don't lose weight. 'Oh you don't eat enough calories' (I'm not hungry!). 'Oh you might be underestimating what you're eating' (possible but that's why I don't eat my exercise back and I try and stay 100 under my goal).

Sorta depressing.

It's not a hoax at all, it just takes willingness to learn the science, time and commitment to do things the right way (like weighing your food and entering your own recipes) and patience to let it work.

Your ticker says you've lost 17 lbs in 2 months. That's excellent progress, much better than I did when I joined. I do think it's around the time when the honeymoon period ends. After that you have to rely on good habits and commitment because often motivation takes a dip.

There are a few reasons why you aren't able to lose the weight:
1. You have a food intolerence or other medical condition that is preventing you from losing (such as pcos or hypothyroidism).

2. You aren't exercising vigorously enough. Unless you spend some time really working it (intervals of 30-60 seconds going as hard as you can) the rest of the time spent walking on the treadmill is going to do nada.

3. You may not be aware of what "Junk Food" actually is. Subway is NOT healthy. Neither are most foods that come out of a package (cereal, bread, pasta, or anything pre-made) or a can or a jar or a drive-up window. If you can't hunt it, farm it or gather it yourself, you should probably not eat it. This takes some time to learn how to do, and if you can get yourself to eat 80% natural food, you should be well on your way to a healthy diet.

4. Portion control. Weigh and measure every morsel that goes into your mouth. This is the only way to know for sure if you are getting your macros correct. A tablespoon serving of peanut butter is a dollop about the size of your thumbnail. A teaspoon of sugar is what is in a single packet at restaurants. Serving sizes are small, ridiculously so. A typical dinner at the Olive Garden contains enough calories to sustain me for 2.5 days. At maintenance. (Maintenance for me is 1800-1900 kcal)

I've always been told that you need to eat right (ie, no junk) and exercise to lose weight and be healthy.

But the more I read about it, the more I realize it just really doesn't seem accurate. It's no wonder it's so hard to diet for some people. You take the right steps, cut all junk, start to exercise... and you still don't lose weight. 'Oh you don't eat enough calories' (I'm not hungry!). 'Oh you might be underestimating what you're eating' (possible but that's why I don't eat my exercise back and I try and stay 100 under my goal).

Sorta depressing.

It's not a hoax at all, it just takes willingness to learn the science, time and commitment to do things the right way (like weighing your food and entering your own recipes) and patience to let it work.

Your ticker says you've lost 17 lbs in 2 months. That's excellent progress, much better than I did when I joined. I do think it's around the time when the honeymoon period ends. After that you have to rely on good habits and commitment because often motivation takes a dip.

I agree with this. Also, "eating right" has a variety of definitions and some of those are ridiculously strict. I focus on calories, getting enough protein and fat, and making sure I satisfy my micronutrient needs. I have cut out absolutely no foods that I enjoy. I just eat less ice cream and pizza, and drink less beer and whiskey.

3. You may not be aware of what "Junk Food" actually is. Subway is NOT healthy. Neither are most foods that come out of a package (cereal, bread, pasta, or anything pre-made) or a can or a jar or a drive-up window. If you can't hunt it, farm it or gather it yourself, you should probably not eat it. This takes some time to learn how to do, and if you can get yourself to eat 80% natural food, you should be well on your way to a healthy diet.

Nonsense.