Does exercise really make a difference in weight loss?

Yes, it makes a difference, but no, you can lose plenty of weight without it. What the exercise will do is make you feel better, increase lean muscle mass, which boosts your metabolism, which makes you burn more calories.

Yes, for me it helps tremendously.... I have lost weight many ways over the years... I have discovered that for me to keep it off and to feel and look healthy after wards It is best if I exercise. I have had two children and just loosing weight leaves me looking a bit saggy... (I am embarrassed to admit that!) But when I exercise it does not look near as bad... infact this time My stomach is looking pretty darn good... that's where I got the stretch marks! I always worry that it will end up the way it did before... like dried up grape! But so far it is looking quite full and plump and healthy!

SO for me the difference is not in the speed in which I loose the weight... it is in the outcome and appearance after the weight is gone.... I would ALWAYS suggest exercise if you are loosing more than 10 pounds! Heck I would suggest exercise anyways... It keeps me from getting over stressed!

Huge!!

Walking does wonders. Incorporate walking into your busy day, you'll notice a big difference on the scale , in your face it will get thinner and just overall toning of your body. Walking rocks!!

I run, but my dad is my walking experiment. The above is true for him.

So move, move, move any way you can, walk all stairs etc..

I am on disability, (Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia). I started my diet using this site on 07/25. I have lost over 20lbs and I have not exercised once other than walking around supermarkets gathering up lettuce. lol.

So I would have to say that as bad as wish I could exercise, you can lose weight without it.

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Calories make a difference in weight loss. As long as you have a calorie deficit, you can lose weight. That deficit can be created through diet or exercise.

However, exercise can improve your health and it's what makes you look better naked (especially strength training).

In terms of strictly losing weight, all that matters is calories in v. calories out. Exercise is irrelevant except insofar as it helps with the "calories out" part. As you stated, it does have other benefits, and should be encouraged.

Weight loss comes down to calories out being greater than calories in, basically a caloric deficit. This can be achieved through eating less, moving more, or a combination of both. You can definitely lose weight just by lowering your caloric intake, it's a good place to start. It is advised that you try to add in some exercise, but losing the weight is most important, and happens in the kitchen.

I am curious if this is even true? If a person is obese (like myself), it probably is. However, is it really better for someone to be sedentary and weigh less or be active and weigh a bit more? Rarely is it an either/or situation, but exercise has such an enormous health benefit that it's difficult to believe that losing a few pounds is more important.

OP: yes, you can lose weight without exercise. However, I would urge you to try to work in some exercise. Even if it's just doing bodyweight exercises at home a few times a week and walking briskly with your child. It will increase your cognitive function and your energy levels, so think of it as investing in better performance at school/work/childrearing.

My personal trainers says that diet/exercise is 80/20 of weight loss. So the majority of losing weight is calories restriction/portion control and then add some exercise on top of that. It's certainly easier to lose weight if you add exercise to the mix. I mean, the first month will be entirely impressive if you do.

As for not exercising -- yes, you can avoid it, but you will feel better and you end up losing inches if you do. Seriously, I lost only 10 pounds in my first couple of weeks, but I knocked off three inches on my hips and thighs! It was really noticeable when all my pants were a little big. The reason? I was doing squats and heavy walking (3 to 3.5 mph, brisk walking) and my muscles showed up! So, exercise gives you cardio benefits, but also others benefits as well.

Personally, I don't prepare my own food. I eat outside food with all those flavorsome grease but in moderation. Adding exercises to my weight loss adventure is helping to balance things out. I have steadily lose weight and see great improvement to my overall fitness condition. Of course, I think I will see faster result if I have chose to eat clean in the first place.