Currently not working out and no plans to do so.
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Wow... U sound like me. I just starting walking again every day, but it's hard.0
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ez...I lost 10 lbs almost overnight by just eating starches veggies and fruits..no exercise needed..just take some walks:)0
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Paradisochick, the comment was for you... I am new at this, your the first page I commented on. I guess, walking is working out though... But at times, it's st soo hard. Good luck to you.0
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For me, finding physical activity that I enjoy and that makes me feel strong and capable has made a huge chance in my relationship with my body and how I feel about it. Mentally, I'm a lot healthier because of that, and the way that I treat my body has changed as a result. Ultimately, I think the thing that made the biggest difference in my eating habits was the fact that, when I started doing physical activity that made me proud of what my body could do, I started to notice how different I felt when I was eating well, and feeling less like I needed crappy food to fill some sort of emotional void. So, while there's nothing wrong with focusing on changing your approach to food, taking care of your body is a multidimensional issue, and being active can help a lot in your food-related efforts.
Plus, you know, I like that I can eat more when I work out
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HI all,
Back when I first started MFP, I worked out 5 days a week. Also watched my calories and both efforts combined lost me about 15 lbs.
I have slipped since then - not working out, too lazy to get to the gym, eating whatever I felt like etc. I gained back 7 lbs.
Lately, I've been feeling like my biggest problem is not just getting to the gym and being more active, but curbing my eating habits. I binge eat, eat out of boredom, eat just for the hell of it - you name it. Is it safe that I just try to work on those eating issues right now, and get that under control, and lose weight safely that way? I feel like that is the biggest obstacle I have to face and feel that even if I do work out all the time, I will never have dealt with my eating issues and getting it under control.
Has anyone done this - focusing on the diet portion and not working out? Would you recommend it? I have about 100 lbs to lose. I totally get that strength training needs to be involved to build some muscle and get rid of leftover flab, but I just want to get this weight off and control those urges that make me eat and then do all the other required things like working out etc.
Thanks
Yep, I lost 40lbs without doing any exercise and I did it on purpose. I had read from several different sources that weight loss is all about food and exercise is separate. I decided to focus on food first, lose the weight, and then focus on starting some sort of exercise after I transitioned into maintenance.
After I hit goal I started walking and strength training and that's my focus right now (besides figuring out this wacky maintenance thing lol). A couple months into it I've lost a few more pounds and have a body that frankly I never dreamed I'd have-still surreal to look at myself in the mirror and know that it's me I'm seeing
I have no regrets doing it this way-worked great for me!0 -
You're not exercising and you don't plan to do so...
Okay - this is "New Topic" worthy why??
If you can't find your own amibition, don't expect me to find it for you.0 -
I find I eat worse on days that I don't exercise. Exercise puts me in a better mood and in a better frame of mind that I am less apt to lose control of eating.0
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Do it for the health benefits not the weight loss ones then0
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Wow - thank you to everyone that has responded to my question, Im overwhelmed with the support and advice.
I totally understand that some exercise needs to be involved in an effort to get healthy, and as for now, I do still make it a point to walk all the time - Im just not walking on the treadmill at the gym. I should have clarified that I wont be going to the gym any time soon, but that Im still keeping my membership for later LOL
I just personally feel that I went at it too hard the first time around, put too much pressure on myself to work out and watch my calories, from previously doing NONE of that. It was too much of a change. I realised that my biggest problem was my eating habits, and so I've chosen to deal with that first. The exercise will come later.
Again, thank you to everyone on this thread - you all are awesome!! :happy:0 -
Wow - thank you to everyone that has responded to my question, Im overwhelmed with the support and advice.
I totally understand that some exercise needs to be involved in an effort to get healthy, and as for now, I do still make it a point to walk all the time - Im just not walking on the treadmill at the gym. I should have clarified that I wont be going to the gym any time soon, but that Im still keeping my membership for later LOL
I just personally feel that I went at it too hard the first time around, put too much pressure on myself to work out and watch my calories, from previously doing NONE of that. It was too much of a change. I realised that my biggest problem was my eating habits, and so I've chosen to deal with that first. The exercise will come later.
Again, thank you to everyone on this thread - you all are awesome!! :happy:
you know you don't have to hate it find something fun to do my friend does roller derby I run and zumba 0 -
if you have that much weight to lose then I suggest that you do some kind of strength or resistance training...you are going to have loads of loose skin if you don't...
I credit my strength training to my not having a huge excess of loose skin...and ive lost a whole bunch of weight...0 -
There's nothing harder than pushing yourself back into a gym when you haven't worked out in a long time. But you have to just ask yourself if you are happy with what you're doing now and is it helping you. In my opinion, I don't think taking a break from exercising is wrong. Life gets hard sometimes and it's okay to take a break. But I do believe that having a healthy diet is very important for your physical and mental well being. From my experience, I would say that unhealthy foods make me depressed. They do no good for my body or mind. After a few bites, you feel the aftertaste and it leaves your body empty or bloated. You need food that is going to nourish you and get moving, so my advice for you is to just focus on your diet right now, and whenever you feel comfortable, go back into the gym. Do what's best for you. Tell yourself that you will get back on track. I hope you stay positive and get back on track. Believe in yourself. YOU CAN DO THIS.0
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I think if exercising AND healthy eating is biting off more than you can chew right now (forgive the ironic pun
) then I would choose cleaning up your diet and making the necessary nutritional changes. "They" say that losing weight is 80/20 nutrition so don't sweat that you aren't exercising right now. If the alternative is that you don't do EITHER, how can making ANY positive changes be a negative? When you're not so overwhelmed with nutritional changes, you may find you want to incorporate a workout. Go ahead and don't sweat the no exercise thing. It'll come. 0 -
I haven't begun excersising yet, but I'm going to when I get down to 300 pounds. I don't think it would have been feesible for me to have began this journey with nutrition and exercise.0
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I whole heatedly believe that I lost weight in e kitchen but I got healthy and fit from the gym.0
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I agree with PPs who said gentle excercies is way to go for some of us - I dont work out at the gym either and I have no plans to do so.
But I do walk the dog most days and walk to work sometimes and play table tennis ......0 -
I lost my first 35 pounds (out of 100) by nutrition alone. I had a lot of the bad eating habits you described and chose to eat foods that were 100% bad for me. Making nutritional changes were a HUGE shock to my system. I didn't feel that great for about the first week but after that things got better. Simply, nutrition has always been the biggest hurdle for me and I needed to focus my full attention on putting myself on the right nutritional track. I am starting my exercise plan this Monday (w00t!) and plan to do the 30 day shred and c25k. After I get another 40 pounds off I will then start with heavy lifting to shape/fill in all the extra space. Obviously, I'm not a specialist but I would think it is a much better idea to start exercise far before you reach your final weight. I've read tons of success stories where the person was happy with his or her weight but unhappy with the body he or she had all because they neglected exercise during the journey.
I saw this somewhere....
"Diet makes you look good with your clothes on, exercise makes you look without them." Makes sense to me! Feel free to add me 0 -
You're not exercising and you don't plan to do so...
Okay - this is "New Topic" worthy why??
If you can't find your own amibition, don't expect me to find it for you.
Oh, yes, negativity is definitely what the original poster needs. We all have enough cynicism, we don't need you to find more for us.0 -
This doesn't have to be an all or none thing. A walk will make you feel better and decrease stress levels at the very least. I am working two jobs and can't work out the way I want to, but I do walk/hike/bike when I can, and I NEVER regret it. The hardest part is getting my @$$ out the front door. Exercise doesn't have to be long, or hard.....find a few friends to walk with. I started a walking group in my neighborhhood. I put a flyer in every mailbox on the street...Meet at the corner of X and Y at 630pm for a community walk every Monday, Thusday and Saturday evening, What started out as me walking alone.....we now have 15 people and I now know my neighbors. Build it and they will come.....0
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I have lost 48 pounds with minimal effort due to a bad knee and ankle. I do believe you can do it. I think it is important to learn about what and how you are eating and take control. I like to feel in charge of what I am doing.
That being said I find I am motivated to try and improve my fitness regimen for my health, so I keep trying to add it in and it also adds calories in case I am extra hungry. I do mostly cardio right now and I like to think I am helping my heart.0 -
You're not exercising and you don't plan to do so...
Okay - this is "New Topic" worthy why??
If you can't find your own amibition, don't expect me to find it for you.
Oh, yes, negativity is definitely what the original poster needs. We all have enough cynicism, we don't need you to find more for us.
Thanks SamRocks - he clearly didn't read my post, which is okay.
Im just happy there are people on MFP that choose to be supportive and offer advice. I appreciate everyone's input, however different, but definitely NO need for negativity on this site!0 -
Wow... U sound like me. I just starting walking again every day, but it's hard.
Good job!!!! Keep it up!0 -
You can lose weight without exercising. Weight loss is more nutrition than activity. BUT you should exercise to get your body moving and to help overall. Anything active that you enjoy doing? I think getting your nutrition intake under control is definitely a positive thing to do.0
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When I started, I decided I wasn't going to do anything I didn't want to do. I wasn't going to bother with a gym because I felt the effort of getting there a waste of time, wouldn't use it effectively and would have to work around kids and husband - in the end I knew that it would create more stress than what I needed and eventually the pressure would mean I'd fail. I do however go to a PT twice a week which costs more but is worth it because she keeps it interesting, she holds the baby and I don't have to pay if I can't go (when I don't go it's due to kids being sick so rarely happens). The obligation forces me to go. However I went for a full year before I lost any weight (waiting for the mindset to kick in). It was only until I addressed the food that I made any weightloss progress (got fitter, not leaner but I still feel that year was not a waste of time).
When I started to tackle diet, I knew exercise would speed up the process but I don't like forced exercise...you know stressing out because I missed aerobics (bleh) or going on a treadmill. The only exercise I like is "functional" exercise where the primary purpose is not just about exercise but is practical..like shifting dirt, house painting or walking the kids to school (and usually further on way home). It was the only way I could see that I would adhere to this long term. Life changes..now I have a14mth old and a couple of other factors which means I exercise less (just PT) but I still try and keep focus on calories/diet until I can return to normal mode. It's easier for me to trick myself into activity by thinking of a better reason to do it rather than just losing weight. However, the results are better if you can do resistance (there are online sites that can start you off using isometrics..no barbells etc...just use your own body weight) and regular exercise..just 1/2 hour walk is enough at the beginning. I do notice that for me it is easier to stay within calories when I do something because it makes me feel more positive..whatever that something is!0 -
I lost my first 35 pounds (out of 100) by nutrition alone. I had a lot of the bad eating habits you described and chose to eat foods that were 100% bad for me. Making nutritional changes were a HUGE shock to my system. I didn't feel that great for about the first week but after that things got better. Simply, nutrition has always been the biggest hurdle for me and I needed to focus my full attention on putting myself on the right nutritional track. I am starting my exercise plan this Monday (w00t!) and plan to do the 30 day shred and c25k. After I get another 40 pounds off I will then start with heavy lifting to shape/fill in all the extra space. Obviously, I'm not a specialist but I would think it is a much better idea to start exercise far before you reach your final weight. I've read tons of success stories where the person was happy with his or her weight but unhappy with the body he or she had all because they neglected exercise during the journey.
I saw this somewhere....
"Diet makes you look good with your clothes on, exercise makes you look without them." Makes sense to me! Feel free to add me
just shuddering at the thought of ANYONE (bar my hubby) seeing me naked at age 55 having given birth to 4 children (2 of them twins)...nope, nope, nope!!!0 -
You can absolutely lose weight without exercising. Exercise benefits both body and mind in a variety of ways, but ultimately, we lose weight by creating a calorie deficit. I think it's fine to focus on getting your eating habits under control without committing to regular exercise, and it will probably benefit you in the long run. Sometimes jumping into a dramatic lifestyle change is just too much all at once; if making smaller changes is what it takes to help you make the transition into healthier living, then by all means, do that. Be patient with yourself, allow yourself a sustainable calorie goal, and log everything. Once you feel like you've got a handle on your eating habits, start adding the exercise back in. It may not be necessary for weight loss, but it is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. You'll get there.
I love this answer above ^^^
It's what I'm doing at the moment aswell. I've tried doing both together at other times but I always gave up on one or the other and then eventually both. Right now I intend to focus everything I have on controlling what I eat. As the weight starts coming off (hopefully!) I'm pretty sure I'll be more motivated to exercise anyway! And if I'm not I'll have to muster up some motivation out of thin air!
Maybe this is what will work best for you too.
Everyone is on the same kind of journey towards health, but we should remember that our paths may change and vary. Just keep the destination in mind.
Add me if you like for support. I have 100+lbs to lose too.0 -
I think being sedentary is your biggest problem, it has caused you to eat whenever you are bored for emotional satisfaction. If you work out, not only would it keep your mind off of food, but results would be faster and you could eat more. If you are sedentary it would be vice versa. Who knows..... maybe you might cheat on your diet out of boredom. Nevertheless, if you want to approach weight loss through this method, you should eat healthier food choices and drink lots of water, rather than eating junk food or fast food. You should also practice self control. It's possible to lose all that weight without exercising, however exercising is an easier method of weight loss.
In my opinion,don't make excuses of being too lazy to go the gym, force yourself if you want to change. Starting is usually a difficult task for many people who want to lose weight. I had the same mentality when I was overweight, but as i kept I forcing myself to make a difference by going to the gym and being more active, I became accustomed to working out daily. It was the best decision, along with living a healthy lifestyle.
Don't lose hope. Good luck with your goals.0 -
I did that at the beginning. I focused on my intake for a few months and lost 10-15 lbs. I did this because I knew it was going to be hard for me to change my food habits and it just didn't make sense to try to change everything at once. I had done this before and it was a failure. Once I had my new diet in place and was a habit it was easier to start exercising.0
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If I were you, I would try weight watchers because you do not need to exercise at first. Plus you will be able to learn portion control and eat the right foods. I tried it a few years ago and it worked for me. I would lose 2lbs a week. There are many resources out there if you don't want to pay for it.0
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It's important that you make this lifestyle change your own, so you need to do what works for you (as long as it's not unhealthy). Learning to incorporate healthy foods into your diet, practicing portion control, and building a healthier relationship with food sounds completely reasonable. Once you have a better handle on your diet (meaning your food intake, not that you're on a diet), I agree that you should definitely add exercise into your routine. The skies are truly the limit when it comes to the benefits of being active and exercising.
But, for now, find what works for you, and do that. You know your body and yourself better than anyone.0
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