80% diet 20% exercise

Well after 10 weeks on the Jillian Michael's Body Revolution, and not missing a beat/day, I all of a sudden am really struggling to find the energy this week to get my workouts done. I feel like I have let myself down but I am so very tired and busy with a lot of other things going on at the moment, I feel like I would pass out if I attempted the circuit. I did them the last two nights and intend on continuing and finishing, just trying not to beat myself up over missing a night or two.

My question is, with thoughts of this week only, what is your opinion/results on 80-20% theory?
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Replies

  • lemonlionheart
    lemonlionheart Posts: 580 Member
    100% calorie deficit. If you're still in a deficit with your diet, doesn't matter if you miss a few days of exercise. Some days it's way easier for me to stick to my calories than drag myself to the gym, others I get hungrier and manage a cardio workout to make the deficit. Whatever works for you!
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Weight loss is all about the deficit. If you don't have enough energy, maybe you're restricting your calories too much? How many calories are you eating a day?
  • ainsliejane
    ainsliejane Posts: 24 Member
    I am under calories most days, try to aim for between 1340 and 1440. MFP goal is between 1490 and 1550.
  • goodasgoldilox165
    goodasgoldilox165 Posts: 333 Member
    I think that weight loss for women is all about calorie deficit. Exercise seems to help prevent plateaus and keeps you from feeling weak/cold/tired - perhaps with some effect on metabolism?
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I make sure I have 1 or 2 rest days from the gym a week so I can workout harder after my body has recovered. I have 3 kids, the youngest is 6 months and up 2-3 times a night, so I need that rest day. I still walk on my rest days though.
    Personally, for me, exercise works more than diet does, although my diet has never been bad. I think if you exercise loads but still eat junk then that would have an impact.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    I am under calories most days, try to aim for between 1340 and 1440. MFP goal is between 1490 and 1550.

    Is that AFTER eating back half the exercise calories or before?
  • jonjhayden
    jonjhayden Posts: 165 Member
    Are you logging your calorie burn from your work outs? If so are you eating those calories back or sticking to your original calorie goal?

    I would suggest eating the calories you burn if not. I hate to be the wet towel on the deficit is all that matters for weight loss, but while this is entirely true that deficit is all that matters for weight loss. It is not true for fat loss. I imagine that your true goal is fat loss and of course weight is the way you are measuring that fat loss. Diet alone to achieve the loss that you are looking for is more likely to not only lose fat but muscle mass as well.

    I would suggest two things: (1) Be sure to log your calorie burn for the day and eat back those calories for a couple of days until you feel more motivated. (2) Change your work out routine. Go for a long walk with a friend, go swimming at a local pool, etc. Then when you feel refreshed get back to our good friend Jillian. :smile:

    Good Luck!
  • jonjhayden
    jonjhayden Posts: 165 Member
    One more thing...whatever you do don't beat yourself up over a day or two. Even if it means taking a day or two break completely from exercising. I know this somewhat contradicts my last post, but a day or two break from the grind every once and awhile never hurt anyone. So don't sweat the small stuff.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    If you are physically tired, it's probably from either not enough calories or inadequate nutrients. You could have also have your doctor run some blood work to see if you are deficient in any areas.

    But can you open your diary?
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    If you are physically tired, it's probably from either not enough calories or inadequate nutrients. You could have also have your doctor run some blood work to see if you are deficient in any areas.

    But can you open your diary?

    or sleep, stress, or a cold...

    Your body needs rest and food to recover after a lot of exercise. Sometimes it takes a few weeks to run down or it could be some other small thing that changed that pushed your body to need a little more recovery time. Maybe you stayed out late last weekend or work has been a little more stressful or something like that.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    GauchoMark wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    If you are physically tired, it's probably from either not enough calories or inadequate nutrients. You could have also have your doctor run some blood work to see if you are deficient in any areas.

    But can you open your diary?

    or sleep, stress, or a cold...

    Your body needs rest and food to recover after a lot of exercise. Sometimes it takes a few weeks to run down or it could be some other small thing that changed that pushed your body to need a little more recovery time. Maybe you stayed out late last weekend or work has been a little more stressful or something like that.

    And if the OP is only eating 1300 calories and exercising a lot, that would cause stress on her body.

    But yes, there are a lot of variables.
  • I think the ratio is "70% diet, 30% exercise".
    It comes down to calorie deficit at the end of the day, but really if weight loss is your goal then diet needs to be your first priority and exercise the second.
    I stick to 1,200 calories most days and then one or two days usually the weekend I have a bit more if I've earned it through exercise.
  • katherineduweck
    katherineduweck Posts: 22 Member
    Even without exercise, I was losing weight; it's about the calorie deficit. I am losing weight faster and feeling better with exercise and believe it should be part of every healthy lifestyle. That said, you can lose weight without it.
    I've seen the Jillian Michaels challenge, and it's a great way to get fit. Don't beat yourself up for missing a couple days; just get back on your routine and be proud of every healthy effort you make.
  • ainsliejane
    ainsliejane Posts: 24 Member
    I guess stress and lack of sleep have been a big factor of the last week - 3 kids - youngest 11 months, two youngest not sleeping through, eldest (6yrs) up at 5:30 each morning. I work from home with the two youngest - had a 'lump' tested that could be cancerous and am getting dental work next week.

    I log all exercise, but don't eat back those calories. It's such a mindset...I signed up with the Michelle Bridges 12wbt (Aus) program where I had to limit to 1200calories a day, plus burn 500 a day 6 days a week. So to try and figure out BMR and TDEE was all new to me and to be eating over that 1200 felt like I was overeating, although after reading so much on the forums I can see it works. Reading your responses I think I will focus on more protein, less sugary foods and will get back into it tomorrow, or Friday :)
  • lolly715
    lolly715 Posts: 106
    edited November 2014
    I'm in the middle of JMBR (week 8) as well. So far I've taken two weeks out, so it's actually 10 weeks since I started. One week I was sick, the other I was on holiday. If you need a break, take one! It doesn't matter if you don't finish exactly in the 12 weeks as designed.

    ETA: I am doing this for fitness though, the calorie deficit is for weight loss.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    well, if you aren't eating back your exercise calories, eating 1200 calories, and burning 500 6x a week...

    you aren't eating enough to fuel recovery.
  • ainsliejane
    ainsliejane Posts: 24 Member
    GauchoMark wrote: »
    well, if you aren't eating back your exercise calories, eating 1200 calories, and burning 500 6x a week...

    you aren't eating enough to fuel recovery.

    Sorry, I meant in the past, before I had my last baby. That was what her program was.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    well, you have said twice that you still don't eat back exercise calories AND you come in under calories usually.
    I am under calories most days, try to aim for between 1340 and 1440. MFP goal is between 1490 and 1550.
    I log all exercise, but don't eat back those calories. It's such a mindset...

    so what have you been NETTING the last few weeks?
  • ainsliejane
    ainsliejane Posts: 24 Member
    Currently my MFP goal is at 1550 calories. From looking at my reports, over the past few weeks I have netted on average between 1000 and 1200. I had one day over at 1681 net calories which was a bad bad day and then my lowest net was 644 after a double workout.

    Am I not eating enough?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    Probably not eating enough... do you use a food scale? And can you open your food diary? And how do you measure calories burned? I assume the MFP database?
  • galprincess
    galprincess Posts: 683 Member
    lowest you should be netting is 1200 pre workout in my opinion depending on height and how much weight you wish to lose
  • Philp0718
    Philp0718 Posts: 136 Member
    edited November 2014
    jonjhayden wrote: »
    Are you logging your calorie burn from your work outs? If so are you eating those calories back or sticking to your original calorie goal?

    I would suggest eating the calories you burn if not. I hate to be the wet towel on the deficit is all that matters for weight loss, but while this is entirely true that deficit is all that matters for weight loss. It is not true for fat loss. I imagine that your true goal is fat loss and of course weight is the way you are measuring that fat loss. Diet alone to achieve the loss that you are looking for is more likely to not only lose fat but muscle mass as well.

    I would suggest two things: (1) Be sure to log your calorie burn for the day and eat back those calories for a couple of days until you feel more motivated. (2) Change your work out routine. Go for a long walk with a friend, go swimming at a local pool, etc. Then when you feel refreshed get back to our good friend Jillian. :smile:

    Good Luck!

    (*)
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    edited November 2014
    Weight isn't lost in theory; it's lost in practice. I like to read and mull over (or dismiss) the theories, but whether it's 80% diet and 20% exercise, vice versa or some other split - I just don't even care. :)

    Point is, I eat what I eat and do what I do and the weight comes off. :)

    I know that exercising makes a tremendous difference for me. Without it, I'd have to starve myself to lose. So, pick whatever percentage you want - it helps. It works. That's all I care about.

    I might be more bottom-line than you, though. All ways are good. I do what works for me.

    You have to do what works for you. :) If you're feeling weak, that might mean adding a few more calories. Try adding 100 or 200 and see how that goes. :)
  • ewhip17
    ewhip17 Posts: 515 Member
    Kalikel wrote: »
    Weight isn't lost in theory; it's lost in practice. I like to read and mull over (or dismiss) the theories, but whether it's 80% diet and 20% exercise, vice versa or some other split - I just don't even care. :)

    Point is, I eat what I eat and do what I do and the weight comes off. :)

    I know that exercising makes a tremendous difference for me. Without it, I'd have to starve myself to lose. So, pick whatever percentage you want - it helps. It works. That's all I care about.

    I might be more bottom-line than you, though. All ways are good. I do what works for me.

    You have to do what works for you. :) If you're feeling weak, that might mean adding a few more calories. Try adding 100 or 200 and see how that goes. :)

    This might be my favorite post in MFP history..... :smile:
  • Levar85
    Levar85 Posts: 5 Member
    Hello, all.
    80/20 is somewhat general rule. You can find it in sports, architecture, painting, mathematics, economy, etc.
    But, my opinion is that this rule is very rigid. The main point is to combine dieting and workout. But ratio isn't the same for everyone.
    You need to find optimal portion sizes (calorie intake) and workout intensity.
    Wish you luck.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I personally would skip the JM workouts and the netting. 10 weeks of JM is enough. Listen to your body. Take a walk instead. You don't have to beat yourself up to lose weight. Especially if you're only going to 'eat back' all that hard work.

    I don't ever feel like you do from 'not enough calories' (and I fast). But I feel that way from overtraining.

    Good luck!
  • njitaliana
    njitaliana Posts: 814 Member
    If you're too tired, take a break or do something that is easier. Take a walk or do some stretches while seated or lying down. Listen to your body. Nothing says you have to work out really hard every single day. You will still lose as long as you eat at a deficit.
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    Well after 10 weeks on the Jillian Michael's Body Revolution, and not missing a beat/day, I all of a sudden am really struggling to find the energy this week to get my workouts done. I feel like I have let myself down but I am so very tired and busy with a lot of other things going on at the moment, I feel like I would pass out if I attempted the circuit. I did them the last two nights and intend on continuing and finishing, just trying not to beat myself up over missing a night or two.

    My question is, with thoughts of this week only, what is your opinion/results on 80-20% theory?

    Just depends... diet makes you thin, exercise makes you look good when you get there

  • ainsliejane
    ainsliejane Posts: 24 Member
    I certainly don't focus on the ratio, I have always seen exercise as an important part of life regardless of weight loss. I missed it today but went back over my notes and think it may be hormonal as I was the same a month ago. Plus of course lack of sleep and stress. I guess the OP was a little pep talk internally to say it's ok to miss a session or two, just stay on track with food..don't beat yourself up too much.

    I figured I can up the calories a little as well, see how that goes...if I look back over my averages they are fairly consistent and I have enough energy most of the time minus one week. Thanks for all the opinions though.

    PS. I didn't answer this before but yes, my scale sits in the middle of the kitchen bench, everything weighed and logged.
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    80/20 is a general number, but weight loss is about taking in less calories than you burn, eating at a calorie deficit. You have to fuel your body though, especially if you are exercising a lot.