Weight loss with no exercise?

I've been losing weight with primarily just a diet change, no additional exercise. I'm sure working out would speed up the weight loss, but I believe diet is key. I've lost approximately 60 pounds primarily with diet change. This was over a course of 3 years, however active losing weight was about 6 months. I would lose weight and then give up, but would maintain.

I haven't exercised in months and I'm currently 56lbs down. I steadily lose around 2 - 3lbs a week just by eating eating the calories MFP tells me to for 2lbs/week and staying within my macros. If you're really honest with what you eat and weigh everything you can definitely lose weight without exercise.

I've lost 120lbs over the last 2.5 years primarily by eating at a calorie deficit.

I initially lost weight with no exercise-- about 40 lbs. I don't recommend it personally, because when I got to my goal weight I was pretty unhappy with how I looked. I've spent the 2 years since then trying to build back the muscle that I lost.

I lost all my weight without any organized type of exercise. It took me 11 months to lose 60lbs

Honojane wrote: »

Exercising is very hard for me because of joint pain. I have no trouble losing weight without doing any as long as I keep my portion sizes in line with my sedentary lifestyle. I wish I could exercise more though as the benefits outweigh the bother.

It might be worth it to see a PT if you can. Mine helped me tremendously with exercising in a way that doesn't bother my many health issues.

A calorie deficit will force your body to pull the missing calories from body fat. One pound of fat contains about 3500 calories. Most diets recommend a calorie deficit of no more than 500 calories a day. So 7 x 500 = 3500 calories. So at that rate its about a pound of fat per week.

The most important thing to do when dieting is to find a sustainable plan for yourself. Use the built in calorie calculator in the MFP app to find your specific calorie requirements, then you can tinker with the numbers to find what works for you. If you diet too hard or too fast, you tend to rebound because its too extreme for your body. Plus being in a calorie deficit can affect your mood if its deep. Find what your daily calorie expenditure is approx. and reduce it by 10-15% and just sit back and relax, and before you know it fat weight is disappearing! Hope that helps!

Yeah, you can do it. Once upon a time I lost 20 kilos (44 pounds) just from mostly diet, I did some exercise to begin with but gave up on the gym and only had a short walk to/from school each day.

However, I wasn't toned at all, and felt unhappy with how I looked. It may or may not be why I gained it all back plus some, but I look at photos at myself from back then and although I can see areas I've gained, my arms and tummy still look the same anyway because I was flabby from no muscle tone whatsoever.

I hate exercise too, and I'm tired a lot and don't have time. However, if you incorporate a weights routine in your regime 3x a week, it'll be well worth it. I do Stronglifts (amongst other things) and it only takes about 30-45 minutes each work out. You get heaps of rest time too, so it doesn't feel like exercise at all.

any combination will work. It is what you can do and want to do. I have lost all my weight before not exercising.. and did so easily. At other times i exercise because I want to eat more..and it makes me firm and fit.
I've heard all the experts say…weight loss is more diet ..not so much exercise.. As many people overeat -- thinking their exercise has them covered.

And for me to lose, I need that exercise component, it's a 50/50 split. Watching my calories and tracking was doing very little. Added cardio in, suddenly I am losing. It was very different when I was younger, I could lose without a lot of effort. Now that I hit 40, different story. Every person is different, I would find something you love doing. A dance class, playing ball, walking a dog, there are many ways to exercise without it feeling like exercise!

SandyBVTN wrote: »

I lost 18lbs last summer/early fall with just calorie control. For a lot of reasons, I think exercise would have been beneficial too but for me it's best to make one major change at a time and I felt food was more important.

I'm not exercising as I really should. I am at the very beginning. I use the fitbit one and with it I've been just trying to up my steps. It is not a fast "I have to make those steps and exceed every day" kind of thing. I've 'been there done that' and eventually I lose steam and quit. So this time I'm paying attention to what I do normally and gradually adjust to what I know I can maintain. So far, so good. The same goes for eating. If I dive in head first with a tight routine, it just won't work. I eat a serving size (according to package) of that item I choose. I check it over and ask myself: "was it worth it? " Sometimes the answer is "no". Sometimes it is: "yes". Again, so far it is helping.
I'm trying to drink more water and my goal is to give up soda. I hate hate hate water! Sorry, but I really do. That is the hardest thing. I've often heard to add lemon. Nah...only if sugar is added too. Bad habit. So I skip that add flavor thing. It would not work at all for me.

80% diet, 20% physical activity, 100% mental!!! I have lost 43 lbs since August 2014, mostly by changing my diet alone. I have a long way to go, but 1 lb and 1 day at a time...you'll get there!

My sister lost almost 40lbs in 3.5 months without exercising. She was recovering from a broken foot and is doing nutrisystem. It can be done. I exercise (a lot) but I also love to do it. I don't anticipate weight loss from cardio or weight training. But in the <4 months I have been at it, I lost almost 50lbs and I feel in shape, strong and energetic. I'm still in the low 190s but wear a womens size 12 (US). I have seen people 40lbs lighter than me (or more) in a size 12. The higher the muscle-to-fat ratio, the leaner you will look and the faster will be your metabolism, all others things being equal. It's a win-win.

I understand everyone can't or doesn't enjoy exercise. So to each his own. My sister is working out now and I have to say that I am noticing she is smaller. She does body and free weight strength training and cardio for now. I remember walking with her in the mall and she was breathing hard after a flight of stairs (I remember those day - oh, about 4 months ago???). Not fun.

mskinner1091 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your replies! I've been doing well with my calorie deficit. I'm just so anxious to hurry up & lose weight so I guess I'll try & incorporate exercise. Blah! Lol. Congrats to everyone who has mentioned their weight loss! I was 193lbs, 5'7", 24 years old. I'm down to 179 now but can't wait to finally reach my goal!! Thanks!!

Is it cardio that you dislike? Because, yes, that can be boring and monotonous. You don't have to go all crazy, but start either lifting weights or doing body-weight only exercises. Just a couple every day. Try not to rest in between sets. It will elevate your heart rate a bit and you'll start to see results.