Is this correct?

ToastyQueen
ToastyQueen Posts: 3 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there, I've been working at this for about 2 weeks now...finally got around to using this account! Well, I got told today that exercise doesn't help with long-term weight loss, it is for health only, and that the only way to really lose weight (long-term) is to eat less. I'm kind of new to this all, so I'm not sure if that is correct, so I'm here to ask!!

Is this correct? It doesn't sound quite right to me, but as I said, I'm new to this.

If it is right, though, can you please explain to me? Thank you! :)

Replies

  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    The issue with exercise for weight loss is that it's very easy to out-eat it, so in a sense it's true.. if you don't pay attention to your diet exercise my only be beneficial for your health and not weight loss.

    Now it actually can be used as a weight loss strategy if you also pay attention to your food, even if you don't eat less. You could lose almost a pound per week by burning 500 calories a day exercising 6 days a week while eating at maintenance, but you do need to track your food intake to make sure you don't go over maintenance, because exercise can make some people hungrier about an hour after cardio (especially swimming for some reason).
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    I think what they meant was exercise is not NECESSARY to weight loss, a caloric deficit is. Weight loss starts in the kitchen. Exercise enhances your caloric deficit, unless, as Amused says it makes you hungrier, as then you're prone to eat more.
  • Go_Mizzou99
    Go_Mizzou99 Posts: 2,628 Member
    I think what they meant was exercise is not NECESSARY to weight loss, a caloric deficit is. Weight loss starts in the kitchen. Exercise enhances your caloric deficit, unless, as Amused says it makes you hungrier, as then you're prone to eat more.

    +1
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Hi there, I've been working at this for about 2 weeks now...finally got around to using this account! Well, I got told today that exercise doesn't help with long-term weight loss, it is for health only, and that the only way to really lose weight (long-term) is to eat less. I'm kind of new to this all, so I'm not sure if that is correct, so I'm here to ask!!

    Is this correct? It doesn't sound quite right to me, but as I said, I'm new to this.

    If it is right, though, can you please explain to me? Thank you! :)
    You can exercise all you want but if your not eating at a calorie deficit you still wont lose weight. So yes technically it's correct. Exercise can help you achieve that deficit but diet is the most important part of the equation

    Try not to think of diet and exercise as separate things. Both are part of an active and healthy life and you need to get the balance correct to make it sustainable.

    As your new here I'll give you these links that may help Good luck

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants?hl=guide+to+sexypants&page=1#posts-18361594

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide
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  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    Exercise also reduces the amount of muscle you would otherwise lose eating at a deficit. This is critical. I've been very successful at eating at a deficit and doing light-to-moderate cardio 3X per week, but I need to up my lifting. I used to be able to bench 80-90 lbs. Now I can only bench 45 lbs.
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    snip...
    The issue with exercise for weight loss is that it's very easy to out-eat it, so in a sense it's true..
    ...snip

    ^ This... it's order to consistently maintain a caloric deficit, it's a lot easier to *not eat* 500 calories a day than it is to burn and extra 500 calories a day in exercise. Additional benefits also include a focus on *what* you're eating, how much, and how often.
  • ToastyQueen
    ToastyQueen Posts: 3 Member
    Alright, thank you so much! I guess I misinterpreted what they said, but it makes sense now!

    Still not sure why they told me that, though. I figured eating less was kind of the key, lol!
  • ChrisJMellor
    ChrisJMellor Posts: 29
    Eating less calories is the key, and a balanced diet...

    What those calories is made of is important and depends on how your body is...

    For me, I don't do carbs to good so I eat low carb. My BMR is supposed to be around 2100 based on my age, height and weight.

    I try to aim for around 1500 calories a day, giving a weekly deficit of around 3.5 to 4k calories. This is sufficient to give a weight loss of around 0.5kg a week. I go no lower than this figure because if I do then my body goes into starvation mode and losses no weight at all.

    On top of this I try to walk (as a form of exercise) at least 4 km a day. This gives around 400 calories extra deficit depending on a few things.

    I do the exercise not to burn calories but to push up my BMR and fell better. Fresh air and movement helps against the problems of a desk job.

    I don't know if the above helps clarify a few things?

    Eat smart and less. Count the food going in. Eat less than your BMR. You will lose weight.
  • Kotuliak
    Kotuliak Posts: 259 Member
    it's order to consistently maintain a caloric deficit, it's a lot easier to *not eat* 500 calories a day than it is to burn and extra 500 calories a day in exercise.
    Undoubtedly true for some. For others, like myself, it is far, far easier to stay in the deficit when I do at least 30 minutes of cardio a day.

    Try and see what works for you.
  • mfesloca
    mfesloca Posts: 21 Member
    it's order to consistently maintain a caloric deficit, it's a lot easier to *not eat* 500 calories a day than it is to burn and extra 500 calories a day in exercise.
    Undoubtedly true for some. For others, like myself, it is far, far easier to stay in the deficit when I do at least 30 minutes of cardio a day.

    Try and see what works for you.

    Me, too! On days I don't work out my total calorie intake is just set too low. I need those extra (about) 400 calories or I'm hungry. I know it's weird considering I burned 400 extra calories, but it holds true. Maybe it's just a mental thing.
  • socalkay
    socalkay Posts: 746 Member
    Still not sure why they told me that, though. I figured eating less was kind of the key, lol!

    Your original post spoke of "long term weight loss". Eating less to lose weight, sure, but to maintain the weight loss long term, eating differently is important. One thing I like about MFP is that much of the talk here is about developing healthier eating habits, not dieting for quick weight loss.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Of course it helps you lose weight.

    It ALSO makes you healthier...though losing weight makes you healthier, so it's really hard to separate the two.

    You can lose without it, but of course it helps.

    Everyone has their own theories and their own way of doing things. I'm not slamming your friend and I'm sure her way works for her. But just do YOUR thing and don't worry about the 10,000 pieces of "Here's the One True Way" advice you'll get.

    Do what makes you happy and works for you! :)
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Well, I got told today that exercise doesn't help with long-term weight loss, it is for health only, and that the only way to really lose weight (long-term) is to eat less.

    It depends on the person. For many, regular exercise is the only weigh to stick to eating at a caloric deficit.

    Everybody needs a caloric deficit to lose weight, that's non-negotiable. Many also need exercise, that may be negotiable, depending on the individual.
  • gp72dpr
    gp72dpr Posts: 16 Member
    80/20 rule...80% nutrition and 20% exercise.
  • ToastyQueen
    ToastyQueen Posts: 3 Member
    Thank you all. I've been eating less, obviously, and exercising... The reason I asked this question is because I kind of thought they went hand-in-hand. I was also unsure of why the person said this because I've never, ever, ever suggested that I want to lose weight quickly or have it be a one time thing to this person, or anyone else. I want to lose weight in a healthy way, at a healthy pace, and I want to keep it off, so that's what I've been working on.

    I asked the person why they said that, and they informed me that I am doing everything wrong...except I'm doing what they said I should do. Eat less, and I am exercising on top of that. They just keep rambling on and on about how I need to do *this* exercise and *that* exercise, and how I'm going to fail if I don't do it their way... :huh:
  • markiend
    markiend Posts: 461 Member
    Many of us have found that we still eat the same amount but didn't notice that we were getting less exercise and subsequently piled it on.

    You can't really go wrong if you remind yourself constantly to be careful how much you ear, lift weights and get out and do some cardio.

    Most of us just stopped getting exercise, got lazy with what we ate and didn't have the energy to lift anything other than a fork

    Muscle mass will burn the fat away , cardio ( even just walking ) and eating less will sort you right out

    Don't be afraid to lift... you won't get bulky
  • SimpleStepsHealthCoach
    SimpleStepsHealthCoach Posts: 121 Member
    Hi there!

    It's true, exercises alone will not help you lose weight. It takes a blend of healthy eating, exercise, and mindset. During my own personally journey, I never stepped a foot in a gym to aid in losing weight. Instead I eat really clean, choice unprocessed foods, starting cooking again, and increased my daily activity. I started to incorporate walks, stand instead of sitting, and parking far away. I also wrapped my mind around the nature that this is a lifestyle change, one that will take time and that can be an amazing journey. I looked deep into the root causes of my cravings, changed my behaviors, and shifted my mindset when it came to food. However, the number one tool that I really benefited from was setting manageable goals. Setting realistic goals with built-in rewards makes the journey fun and rewarding no matter how long it takes you.

    In the end there is a lot of information on the internet about what you should and shouldn't do. Health and nutrition is one of the only sciences that can produce outcomes that contradict each other with scientific backing to support their claims. What you need to focus on is what works for you. We are all different and we all gained and will lose our weight in different ways. Experiment what works for you and enjoy the process. After All, it can be a truly amazing journey.

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