Weight loss: 80% diet and 20% exercise?

I believe that it is. Also, drinking a lot of water and getting enough rest is a HUGE part of that equation. It may be that 80/20 thing you mentioned, but I'd go a little further and say it's 50% mental, 30% diet, and 20% exercise. What do you think? Maybe it's more mental than that, actually because we are the ones who choose to do this and stick with it!!

Oops did not mean to post twice!

It's definately 80% Diet, 10% motivation, 10% exercise!!!

I really think it depends on the person. I think a heavy person who eats fast food and fried foods could lose weight most easily by changing their diet. For me, however, I eat very healthy in the first place. Exercise is key for me - there's not really a whole lot for me to change in my diet. Always little tweaks, yes, but for the most part, getting active is what will take weight off for me.

Not only is this 100% true, but I think the split could be more like 90% diet and 10% exercise. I exercised for months and didn't lose weight until I changed my diet. I have also had periods of time where I lost weight with no exercise at all, but a very strict diet. It comes down to calories. You can eat processed salty foods and still lose weight with low calories. Unless you work out like a professional athlete - exercise does not have that big of an impact. Although, I do believe once you get to a low body fat, exercise helps give you that toned look (and is obviously good for health).

Bump - I like this thred!

Yes! Eat the right thing and weight loss will take care of itself without hours spent in the gym.

"Calories in - Calories out" is crap math. "A calorie is a calorie" may obey the laws of thermodynamics, but is complete garbage in a system like the human body.

Studies have been done (and I can get references if you want them) that have shown people losing ample amounts of weight on 2,000 calories of animal meat and fat. Yes, that's 50% calories from meat, 50% from fat. Yet give those same people 1200 calories (usually based on the typical low-fat, high carb diet) and they're lucky if they lose 5 lbs.

I'm in total agreement with that statement! Just by changing your diet you can still lose weight. Exercise is helpful in making the process faster!

Hey There:
I know that what I eat/don't eat is the key for My wt. loss. I have lost over 75 lbs. in the last 12 months and I just (a month ago) incorporated any type of "exercise routine" in My Life. Eating lower calories is the key to weight loss, later I began to monitor My sodium intake (This brought a whole new dimension to My Health...no water retention, weight stabilized, no more puffiness in My hands, feet and ankles, blood pressure stabilized, hair in top of My head began to grow longer...and this is just the stuff I can see/measure!). I have reduced My sugar intake but that is difficult when you add fruit to the eating plan, I think it is more important where the "sugar" comes from. When sugar come from fruit (fructose) or dairy (lactose) blood sugar stays more normalized, as such it does not release insulin fast into your system causing blood sugar spikes and holding on to carbs (causing wt gain.) So for Me the key is knowing where My "sugar" comes from, allowing for the "good" sugar and limiting the "bad" sugar. For Me, changing My Habits, thus changing My Lifestyle has come in "sections," I have not tried to make changes all at once for fear that would overwhelm Me and cause frustration (and I would quit)...it's a process. I'm glad I found MFP because the tools here have been fantastic in allowing Me to see what I am doing and to notice trends (good and bad) to continue them or stop them before they get out of hand. So best to you in whatever you do.


I'd like to add that exercise definitely has its place in My Life now but NOT for wt. loss. It is so important for Me Spiritually and Emotionally; also, I have arthritis and it has improved My range of motion, balance and endurance, and reduced pain. NOW, I would not give up exercise and stretching...but its not a wt. loss device, any benefits from it relative to wt. loss is a Blessing.