Anyone just dieting?

dumdum32
dumdum32 Posts: 26 Member
edited November 9 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

I've using MFP on and off for a while to loose weight and have had really good progress with portion size control and calorie counting.

I was just wondering if there were others out there just dieting to loose weight.

I've got physical disabilities which prevent me from exercising properly eventhough I have been doing aerobics (it's like a really low impact basic moves).

I want to continue my journey with weightloss in this manner but was wondering there is anything additional I can do to help myself reach my weight goal quicker. I've got another 2 stones to loose!

Replies

  • JaneECS
    JaneECS Posts: 71 Member
    Hi, we mainly diet, we just try and walk a little every day, I don't know if this is possible for you - I'm talking 10 mins twice a day. Its more than we used to do, so it works
  • dumdum32
    dumdum32 Posts: 26 Member
    Thanks JaneECS. That is a really good suggestion. I could start with once a day walk for 10mins then build it up to twice
  • JaneECS
    JaneECS Posts: 71 Member
    And when you feel comfy, either increase the speed or the distance - we just moved the car away from the office and walked to walk. Used to take 14 mins, now takes 10 or 11
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    How fast are you losing now? You shouldn't aim for a loss greater than 1% of your weight per week, to keep muscle mass and health. Be patient.
  • SteveMFP123
    SteveMFP123 Posts: 298 Member
    I exercised the first 5 months but I haven't the past 2 months, I just got sick of it. It hasn't affected my weight loss but I'm a lot less stressed out.
  • MarziPanda95
    MarziPanda95 Posts: 1,326 Member
    I don't tend to exercise much beyond walking, either. I'll sometimes go swimming or running but only on the rare occasion that I have a friend with me. Some days I don't even leave the house because of social anxiety so I don't even get much walking in those days, but I try to make up for it by walking to uni and back instead of taking the bus, which is about 25 minute walk each way, three times a week. Like someone suggested, doing a small amount of walking is a good idea as every little helps. I can't stand exercises other than swimming and running.
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    I have an intermittent back problem and have recently developed some joint issues as well. Although I do go to the gym when things are ok I have lost my weight mainly by diet.
  • TheSatinPumpkin
    TheSatinPumpkin Posts: 948 Member
    Yep for the first 232lbs it was mostly what and how much I put in my mouth. Now I am past my personal goal I have implemented some small intentional forms of exercise.
  • ukaryote
    ukaryote Posts: 854 Member
    edited January 2015
    Most weight loss is due to calorie deficit created by what we eat, not from large amounts of exercise. "You can't out run your fork" is a common quote emphasizing this.

    When people lose weight, the body gets energy by breaking down mostly fat and some muscle. It is good to exercise to retain muscle tissue.

    I do not expect to lose much weight by exercise. I work out to keep what little muscle I have and to feel better.
  • dumdum32
    dumdum32 Posts: 26 Member
    Thanks all for replying :)
    How fast are you losing now? You shouldn't aim for a loss greater than 1% of your weight per week, to keep muscle mass and health. Be patient.

    I'm not sure how fast losing as I'm bad with numbers :# but I started last year and so far have lost 2 stones. I'm not in a hurry to loose the weight but I've developed arthiritis in my back & neck & my joints. So now most days I'm stiff. I'm 5ft2inches and now weigh 13 stones. The weight is not helping my pains at all. I wanna get down to 11 stones at least.
  • dumdum32
    dumdum32 Posts: 26 Member
    I've managed to walk for 15 minutes just now. Yippy I feel so proud of myself :D I know I know it's just a walk LOL
  • Icandoityayme
    Icandoityayme Posts: 312 Member
    I just count calories and make sure I get at least 30 minutes of exercise in a day and drink plenty of water and green tea. That's it. I don't like to make this more confusing or difficult than it has to be. I eat what I want, I just portion it all to fit in my calorie goal which is 1400 calories. Sometimes I am under and sometimes a tad over. I am down 38 lbs since June. I am not trying to get me a beach body, be a super model, find me a man, or become a weight lifter. I just wanted to lose some pounds. I do Leslie Sansone walking which is easy to do and you can start off with just 1 mile which takes 15 minutes. There is also pilates for stretching and strengthening for about 30 minutes and I do step ups as I feel like it for 30 minutes. It really is just that simple.
  • Holla4mom
    Holla4mom Posts: 587 Member
    Congrats on your walk and your weight loss! But I've been closely following the people here who have lost weight and is has been from eating at a calorie deficit. Exercise is for improved mental and physical health and is great, however, weight loss is based on how much you are eating.
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    Yes, you can lose weight without exercising. It's not usually recommended, because losing weight and being healthy aren't the same thing. But if you aren't able to exercise much, you can still lose weight by eating at a deficit.

    I'd suggest working with your doctors or therapists on figuring out some low-impact exercise that you might be able to do, though, if for no other reason but to keep your health up. Depending on the nature of your disabilities, there's probably quite a bit of adapted stuff that might work for you.
  • javafate
    javafate Posts: 98 Member
    I will be one month in on Monday for only dieting. I am a disabled veteran with nerve damage in my legs. I am trying to go two months before beginning exercise to drop some weight (started at 286, this morning I'm at 266).
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    So far, I've lost 75 pounds not exercising much, if any, at all.

    Weight loss has more to do with what you put in your body than what you do with it. Yes, exercise is good, and there are many great benefits from it. But unless you change your eating habits, it won't help much at all to workout.

    I've had a fitbit during my weightloss journey, and at first, I was lucky to get in 500-800 steps a day. Now it's more like 2100 steps a day. I'm just looking to do gradually better. I'm not trying to get into any world record book for doing things like 90,000 steps in a day or losing 100 pounds in a week.

    Just focus on what is livable for you and you'll get there!
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    edited January 2015
    I started the first of October 2014.
    At first i couldn't do much to any excessive. Knee and back injury and totally out of condition.
    So started off with eating in deficit.

    That was the first couple of weeks
    Than i started walking on the threadmill daily. I laugh now about it but the first week it was 0.3 mile or even 0.2.

    Now 3.5 months later i am 56 pound lighter and walk 6 times a week at least 4 mile a day and do 3 times a week 30 minutes of light lifting
    My back and knee had some protests and sometime still do. But i didn't give up. I am much stronger and energetic.

    My blood pressure is back to normal and my blood sugar level too. No more heart racing and out of breath

    I eat everything but cook from scratch and eat healthy foods. I dont use added sugar and salt.
    My foods are: meat/fish/herbs/spices/fruit/nuts/veggies some diary and grain
    Liquids: 2.5 liter of water a day, 3 coffee and 1 or 2 cups of green tea.
    I eat 3 main meals and 2 to 3 times a small meal/snack.

    Everything must fit in my calorie allowance of 1200 to 1500 calories Also when i want a slice of pizza.... yes i eat those too :) In my eyes there is not really bad food.

    Just portion control and moderation is the key.
    I weigh and measure all my food and liquids.

    I eat more when i am hungry which happens sometimes. But to be honest i had 3 or 4 "hungry" days when i started ( first 2 weeks). It wasn't really hungry but wanting to eat habit.
    Now i know better, and recognize when my body needs/wants more fuel. I watch my nutrition intake and try to hit the goals.

    Losing weight is eating less calories than you burn. You dont need to exercise. But training makes you fit and feel good. Plus you can eat some of those burned calories back.

    Don't see your losing weight as a diet. It is a life change..... when you lost your weight you cant go back to what you did before or you will gain.
    It is life changing and you will be successful when you learn to count correctly your calories, learn your body needs, recognize your hunger and thirst and portion control and moderation.
    This means also you can have that ice cream or go to a party and eat some snacks.... keyword is SOME! And the next day it is tighten your belt and dont get out of control.

    i lost weight before (60 pound) and i kept it off for over 20 years. Had an injury some years ago and gained 10 because i ate the same when i was very active. ( i was bored) and not able to move around. ( was a trainer and coach so very sportive).

    Now i am losing the rest of the weight i gained many years ago because i decided it comes off now. My goal weight is 150-145 pound. Lost since October 56 pound so still some to go.


    Wish you luck on your life changing journey. When you want it bad enough you will succeed!
  • YorriaRaine
    YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
    edited January 2015
    I've been on myfitnesspal almost a year and it was all almost entirely diet alone. However, I wish I had incorporated exercise in that year more often, I think it would have done a lot for my overall health and fitness. That being said I did get a lot of walking done because my campus is huge and my classes tend to be in classes clear across campus from the other. I also park pretty far away from campus to avoid the fight for spots nearer the campus with other students. So I guess take my lack of formal exercise with a grain of salt.

    I am going to try to incorporate more formal versions of exercise routines this year though. My knee is in pretty bad shape from a couple events in my life but I found rebounding doesn't hurt them too bad if you have a soft bounce trampoline.
  • dumdum32
    dumdum32 Posts: 26 Member
    Thank you all so much for telling me about your journeys and giving me really good advice. I agree with what you all have said about making the change to eat right. Over the last year I've just concentrated on portion sizes to control the amount of food I was eating and that included junk food. Slowly but surely I feel like I'm now at the point where I can Realistically cut out the junk food altogether and concentrate on eating healthy. Reducing my sugar intake hasn't been easy as comfort eating has been a major issue for me due to my mental health problems.

    The positive for me has been the fact that I have managed to loose weight and not gain any. As for exercise I do want to get myself out of the house and active again. I've spent too long indoors due to partly my physical disability and the other partly to do with my mental.

    I have been referred to physio with an appointment coming up soon so thank you for the suggestion of coming up with a plan with my GP. I think that is a really good idea. I've been almost scared to speak to the GP or any specialist before now but now feels like the right time to do so.

    Not thought about eating in calorie deficit before so does that mean if I'm
    Suppose to eat 1400 cals according to MFP I should try only having maybe a 1000?
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    eat the 1400 and see how your doing for some weeks

    A 1000 calories that is not a good thing to do. You will damage your health over time. Your body need at least 1200 to function

  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I am just trying to loose weight only... but while I am doing this I am allowing myself to learn to eat healthier and maintain exercise for long term.. Exercise does help me feel better not just for weight loss since I started do it!

    So I am doing two for one. When I loose the weight I will have eating down and exercising already integrated into my routine/schedule and plan to keep doing it!
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I've lost 10kgs (22lbs) in 2mths with zero exercise.
  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    Not dieting at all, just eating reasonable-sized portions of whatever I want.
    I expect that to last the rest of my life, while a "diet" is temporary & unsustainable.
    But yes, I do generally exercise. The last couple weeks I've been sick, or waiting for my lungs to recover from that, so I haven't been to the gym. :confused:

    "Most weight loss occurs because of decreased caloric intake.
    However, evidence shows the only way to maintain weight loss is to be engaged in regular physical activity."
    http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html

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  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Dumdum32, you will do ever so well counting your calories, make sure you get a tarring food scale to keep you accurate.
    If you are meeting with a physio ask about doing water fitness ( aquafit). It gives you a good workout, usually warm- up , 20-30 min cardio, 10-15 min strength, 10min abs focus, then a cool down streach, without stressing the joints.
    Our pool does a number of levels of classes and some individual/ small group classes with a physio instructor.
    It sounds like you have your head in the right place to succeed, good luck.
    Cheers, h.
  • dumdum32
    dumdum32 Posts: 26 Member
    Wow that is amazing loses you all have going on :D I'm so inspired.

    Hmmm a scale to weigh food is something I've not considered before. Not sure I'll be able to stick to weighing even if I get a scale :# am a bit lazy for that I think.

    Aquafit sounds like something I could definitely look into with my physio.

    Today has not been a good day with multiple visits to the bathroom :'( just been drinking lots of water. Hopefully will be ok by tomorrow again. Everything I've ate has gone to waste today.

    Thank you all again you guys are amazing support.
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