lose weight first, then exercise?

In my experience, I've found that I HAVE to exercise in order to lose weight. However, I know a lot of people don't exercise regularly and lose weight.

I think as long as you are careful about what you eat - you can do it. But, you'll see far better results if you work out.

I really don't want to exercise. Its too much work. Its boring. Am I wrong for trying to lose some pounds with a change in diet, then exercising when i'm at a more comfortable weight???

I lost 39 lbs. then started exercising after. I'm on Day 4 of P90X and it's kicking my butt. I've never worked harder or been more sore. But there's no way I could have done this 39 lbs. ago. Do what works for you.

It's 80% diet/nutrition and 20% exercise.

EDITED TO ADD: I did sprinkle in some bike riding before now. Some long (2 hour) rides as well as short ones (10-minutes up to the grocery store or if I was in the mood for fast food I'd bike up).

I have not been exercising because my knees bother me. I want to lose enough weight so I don't have so much pain when I try to exercise. I have lost 20 pounds in 2 months by eating the amount of calories mfp allotted me, but it probably would have been more if I could have exercised.

I started out 2 years ago with strictly diet, I had the same feelings toward exercise, I hated it!

Fast forward to today, 90 lbs lighter, I am working more and more exercise in each week and have found the remaining pounds I need to lose to get to my goal come off a lot faster, I have a ton more energy, I am toning up quite nicely and...

I can eat more food, which is a good thing in my book

Best of luck to you whatever you decide.

You don't have to necessarily do repetitious exercise. You can garden, clean, walk, canoe, play basketball, volley ball, shovel snow, or any physical activity. It all counts. In fact I had a doctor tell me that is the best way to exercise. Just do what you enjoy. I read once the best calorie burner is the exercise you enjoy.


Best wishes on your journey!

Ron

I thought so too, at first, now I'm addicted! Everybody is different and if you're not enjoying what you're doing then it will be difficult to stick to it. Basically, do what makes you feel good :happy:

It's not just for weight loss: it's for health.

^^^This. But as PP said, it might be easier for you to lose a little weight before you start to feel better about exercise. Once you really get into exercise, though, it's a real high. I enjoy it. Plus, I enjoy that I can eat more food when I exercise! Good luck! :flowerforyou:

It was pretty key for me to exercise right from the start. Even if you just do more walking at first and gradually build it up. The extra exercise will compliment whatever hard work you're putting in diet-wise and will give you better results. You just have to find the right exercise for you - it'll make the whole idea of exercise more appealing if you know you're gonna have fun whilst doing it. For me, I spend a lot of time sparring (boxing) with a friend - it's fun, lets off some steam and is a good cardio workout.

Hope you find your way

I really don't want to exercise. Its too much work. Its boring. Am I wrong for trying to lose some pounds with a change in diet, then exercising when i'm at a more comfortable weight???

You can, as weight loss is mainly about your diet.

However, you will lose much more muscle mass than if you exercised, so although you'll lose weight you will also have a higher percentage of body fat. Most of us are not looking for smaller but squishier versions of ourselves.

If you exercise and eat a well-balanced diet, you'll retain more muscle mass and also protect your metabolism from lowering on fewer calories. You don't have to kill yourself; a half hour or so 3-4 times a week is plenty.

I was one of the people who used to say "I hate exercise" but ive just joined my local gym and ive been every day this week, when im on a machine and its counting the calories ive lost it really spurrs me to do that bit extra.... I eat under 1200 calories a day as well so it speeds up my weight loss programme, I think you have to combine the two, I dont want to lose weight then struggle to tone up afterwards because to me that sounds like an awful lot of effort!! Twice in fact, I love the gym - and where before I never thought I "had the time (or thats the excuse I gave!!)" to do it its become really ADDICTIVE and I just know im going to stick at it!
Some gyms do a trial period where you can go at a really reduced rate for a week or a couple of days to see if you like it (not my gym but a lot do!!)

I've tried just losing weight by itself and felt ok about it, but didn't see any major changes in my body. In fact I was unconsciously doing just that between December 2010 and last week, and in total I lost 21lbs without tracking calories.

However, from last week I made the conscious decision that I will get back to being a size 10-12 by my wedding (3 years away) so I've decided to try to lose weight by exercising along with adopting a low GI diet, and in one week I have seen amazing changes in my body.

In terms of exercise I am doing the 30 day shred, cycling to work at least three times a week (minimum 40 miles) and playing on the wii fit and going for walks. I've also in the last two days started the couch to 5k programme as I would like to do some running tours of cities when I'm in the USA for my wedding... they just look like fun!

So, what have I lost in the last week:

Starting weight: 233lbs Current weight: 229lbs Loss: 4lbs

And a massive 16" off my overall body!!! Broken down as...

Starting waist: 39" Current waist: 36" Loss: 3"
Starting hips: 49" Current hips: 46" Loss: 3"
Starting thighs: 33" Current thighs: 31" Loss: 2" per thigh
Starting bust: 47" Current bust: 45" Loss: 2"
Starting chest: 40" Current chest: 39" Loss: 1"
Starting knees: 21" Current knees: 20.5" Loss: 0.5" per knee
Starting calves: 17" Current calves: 17" Loss: 0" per calf
Starting forearm: 11.5" Current forearm: 11" Loss: 0.5" per forearm
Starting upperarm: 15" Current upperarm: 14.5" Loss: 0.5" per upperarm



So.... personally I would recommend getting over that exercise fear and trying it. The difference in your body that can be achieved is amazing!

Exercise is about a healthy body. Yeah, it's hard at first, but it will get easier. When I started, I weighed 260 and I thought I was going to die in the first five minutes everyday, but eventually you don't think you'll die until 10 minutes in, and then 15, and so on. And if it's boring, you're just not doing the right one. Start small, go for walks. Just move. Swim, ride a bike..anything. You don't have to start off by trying to run a marathon or anything. I started with the EA Sports Active for the Wii. If you have the system, try it. It's easy and engaging enough that you won't quit. Also, attitude is a HUGE part of weight loss. A negative attitude will get you nowhere fast. We've all been there where we just don't want to workout, but you know what? You always feel better after you do. Hope this helps.