Why bother?

Zsangel
Zsangel Posts: 202
edited September 26 in Fitness and Exercise
So I think I've sorted out my calorie intake needs, BMR etc. and have enough of a deficit to lose 1.5lbs per week (or there about) and I'm trying my best to stick to it..
BUT
When I burn calories running or at the gym, I have to eat at least most of them back to keep my Net calories up (which I am finding difficult).. so I'm wondering, if there is already a deficit in my daily calorie intake, why bother working out and burning them off (asside from the obvious (toning etc.))
but from a strictly weight loss perspective, I'm not seeing the point here

<Rant over> :grumble:

Replies

  • backinthenines
    backinthenines Posts: 1,083 Member
    You bother because:

    - weight loss is as much about health & fitness as it is about vanity
    - because losing weight alone doesn't necessarily make you any healthier
    - because a decent training regime needs to be appropriately fuelled
    - because most of us don't want to be skinny fat
  • helthymom6
    helthymom6 Posts: 77
    I went to a nutrtionist last week and she told me that unless you are burning 600 plus calories a day there is no need to eat them back. and then only if you have a heart monitor so you get an accurate count of calories. This is what I was told. That being said I think exercise is good for the body, mind and soul.
  • fluffykitsune
    fluffykitsune Posts: 236 Member
    I went to a nutrtionist last week and she told me that unless you are burning 600 plus calories a day there is no need to eat them back. and then only if you have a heart monitor so you get an accurate count of calories. This is what I was told.
    im pretty sure they meant when you're NOT eating at a deficit.
  • backinthenines
    backinthenines Posts: 1,083 Member
    I went to a nutrtionist last week and she told me that unless you are burning 600 plus calories a day there is no need to eat them back. and then only if you have a heart monitor so you get an accurate count of calories. This is what I was told.

    Only if you're eating maintenance calories!
  • ybba12490
    ybba12490 Posts: 252
    @mof10 I was told the same thing. Some people get "skinny fat" but that does not happen with me. When I lose weight, it's all over and my body looks proportioned. Most days I burn calories at the gym and don't eat them back simply because I'm not hungry and don't want to stuff myself with junk to fill the extra 600 calories I have left. I was also told this was okay, for MY body. You just have to figure out what's right for your body. Most days I eat under my daily calories, am satisfied, and decide not to go to the gym. I have lost 8lbs in 2 weeks this way. But once again, that's my body. Everyone's is different, you just have to find what works for you. I also find the gym to be a good stress releaser and it puts me in a good mood, so some days when I don't feel like having a hard workout I will just go run on the track.
  • mangorabbit
    mangorabbit Posts: 219 Member
    As a note (from a yahoo somewhere in the digital ether) - what backinthenines said about skinny fat is very important - was reading something (Sorry I don't remember where) that mentioned that yes, if you could convince you body to ONLY burn fat for the deficit we could all eat less, sit on our butts and eventually look lovely. However - muscle is easier for the body to burn than fat - so if we aren't asking for those to be used/rebuilt, you will lose more muscle than fat, and though you might get to your goal weight, no promises you will feel or look the way you want. ...I tried the whole 'eat less, don't have to move more' idea and frankly, it sucked and I felt tired all the time.
  • helthymom6
    helthymom6 Posts: 77
    no she set me up to eat at a deficiet and told me this. She said most people over estimate what they burn for calories and underestimate what they eat for food.
  • rayfromtx
    rayfromtx Posts: 111
    Because you are really after fat loss and not muscle loss. Working out and consuming protein regularly will help avoid muscle loss. After you lose the weight, you will be looking to add muscle. It's best to not have to first replace muscle that you lost through sedentary dieting. Think long term and you won't kick yourself later. Ask me how I know. Good luck.
  • Zsangel
    Zsangel Posts: 202
    I went to a nutrtionist last week and she told me that unless you are burning 600 plus calories a day there is no need to eat them back. and then only if you have a heart monitor so you get an accurate count of calories. This is what I was told. That being said I think exercise is good for the body, mind and soul.

    Hmm, I like this... I'm really struggling eating them back :sad:
    Will have to do some more research! thanks =)
  • Zsangel
    Zsangel Posts: 202
    Because you are really after fat loss and not muscle loss. Working out and consuming protein regularly will help avoid muscle loss. After you lose the weight, you will be looking to add muscle. It's best to not have to first replace muscle that you lost through sedentary dieting. Think long term and you won't kick yourself later. Ask me how I know. Good luck.

    Good point =) thanks
  • Zsangel
    Zsangel Posts: 202
    For the record, I never actually considered doing it (going without exercise would probaby make me crazy!! :laugh: )
    I was just wondering what everybody's thoughts were. it's all making sense now! thanks all! :drinker:
  • btmixon
    btmixon Posts: 55 Member
    bump
  • debbiequack
    debbiequack Posts: 275 Member
    Correct: Our bodies are designed to move and even if you feel "okay" now, what about in ten years? Twenty? How to establish healthy habits now to last a lifetime?

    And as you said, exercise is excellent for mood and anxiety.

    Best,

    Debbie
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    You bother because:

    - weight loss is as much about health & fitness as it is about vanity
    - because losing weight alone doesn't necessarily make you any healthier
    - because a decent training regime needs to be appropriately fuelled
    - because most of us don't want to be skinny fat

    this^^^^

    yes you can lose weight without excercise. but part of that weight will be muscle, so you don't end up looking that great once you're at your goal.
    changing your body composition will make you look much better than just dropping weight
  • stella77
    stella77 Posts: 282
    Just from losing weight perspective... no need to bother. You can lose all your weight by not eating.

    I second what others said re health and lifestyle.

    Personally, I don't exercise much or at all, but feel better when I do. But I have lost all my weight so far just by taking 30mins walks in the morninsg. And I did totally eat those 124kcal I earn by doing it! :))
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    You're right that you can lose weight through diet alone.

    But working out will improve your fitness level and help you to manage stress. If you do some resistance training while making sure you get sufficient protein, you should be able to maintain more lean body mass as you lose. You can also somewhat counteract the body's normal tendency to slow metabolism to cope with eating fewer claories.

    I'm a very moderate exerciser these days. When I was younger, I used to absolutely kill myself in the gym and I don't think it helped my weight loss goals all that much. It did make me look good and strong and sent my confidence and my acceptance of my body through the roof though!

    So it depends on what your goal is with exercise. If it's only about weight loss, I wouldn't worry about it. But there are a lot of other benefits as well.
  • backinthenines
    backinthenines Posts: 1,083 Member
    As a note (from a yahoo somewhere in the digital ether) - what backinthenines said about skinny fat is very important - was reading something (Sorry I don't remember where) that mentioned that yes, if you could convince you body to ONLY burn fat for the deficit we could all eat less, sit on our butts and eventually look lovely. However - muscle is easier for the body to burn than fat - so if we aren't asking for those to be used/rebuilt, you will lose more muscle than fat, and though you might get to your goal weight, no promises you will feel or look the way you want. ...I tried the whole 'eat less, don't have to move more' idea and frankly, it sucked and I felt tired all the time.

    There is a thread in "general" somewhere about a girl who lost most her weight from muscle when she had her body composition test done.

    She's now integrated strength training and is turning it all round now which is great.

    Very informative thread.
  • backinthenines
    backinthenines Posts: 1,083 Member
    I went to a nutrtionist last week and she told me that unless you are burning 600 plus calories a day there is no need to eat them back. and then only if you have a heart monitor so you get an accurate count of calories. This is what I was told. That being said I think exercise is good for the body, mind and soul.

    Hmm, I like this... I'm really struggling eating them back :sad:
    Will have to do some more research! thanks =)

    You can start here:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/173853-an-objective-look-at-eating-exercise-calories?page=3
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