Diet vs exercise

I think it all depends upon the person. If you know you're not going to continue an exercise routine then I don't think you should count on one to lose weight. There's no point in starting something that you're not going to continue to do forever. That's why I just walk. I count my steps via Fitbit just to get me to move a little more but that's it. Everything else is just diet. My form of exercise is taking the stairs or taking my dog out for a walk... Or walking the shopping mall with my daughter. I'm just trying to be more active without a set workout routine.

I always liked the phrase "Diet to look better in clothes, exercise to look better naked" - yes, you can lose "weight" (fat+muscle) by diet alone, but exercising and retaining lean muscle (losing mostly fat) is what most people actually WANT to look like. Just dieting made me look like I melted - all my skin just hanging there, flat butt, skeletal shoulders, etc. Adding/retaining muscle made my arms shapely, butt round, hips curved just right etc. I can hide some of the "melted" look (aka "skinny fat") by dressing a certain way , but there is no hiding that when naked!

I also figured out that I will lose exactly the same amount of weight (sometimes more), by eating 2000 calories and burning 2500 calories a day (TDEE, after exercise) as I would by eating 1000 calories and burning 1500 calories a day (sitting on my *kitten*). I like to eat. So I can eat double the amount by just getting my butt in gear, walking/running every chance I get, and exercising. Plus my mood is way better, I am too busy to think about food so its easier to stay in my (bigger) allowance or even under some days, I have more fun and in general am just more pleasant to be around. I also "feel" better - no aches, pains, fatigue, weakness (from lack of food=calories=energy!). I feel "alive".

So for me, both

ashleyminc wrote: »

Seems like most people have most success with diet. I honestly find it easier to eat a low calorie , under 1200 calories, under 50-70 carbs per day, and little exercise to be able to lose/maintain. Any more calories and I gain! It's so hard to keep my weight down. For reference. I'm 5'4 usually at 135lbs. I carry my weight evenly and gain muscle quickly.

Why do you eat so few calories with only 18 lbs. to lose? And you add exercise to that?

My GP always preaches 80% diet, 20% exercise. Diet creates a deficit of calories and exercise increases it. You must have a clean, structured diet to succeed in weight loss.

Diet is 90% of the battle.