Do I have to workout to lose wieght?

pcarina31
pcarina31 Posts: 2 Member
edited November 21 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi! I started about a week ago and I have been lightly active ( I am a stay at home mom and its hard to be super active). I try to go on walks in the afternoon. I have lost 1.5 pounds in one week. Some days i workout more than other days and i was wondering what everyone else does? do you have to do intence workouts to see a difference?

Replies

  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    working out and especially strength training will help you retain muscle while losing and give you a better body when you reach your goal. Browse the forums, there are lots of threads of moms sharing workout tips.
  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    No, you do not have to work out to lose weight. All that's required to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than your body uses.

    Exercise is good for other reasons, such as those mentioned above, but lack of exercise doesn't lead to lack of ability to lose weight.
  • pcarina31
    pcarina31 Posts: 2 Member
    Thank you!!
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    No, but it helps.
  • timtam163
    timtam163 Posts: 500 Member
    I'm a big fan of walking for exercise. It may burn calories slower than biking or running, but it's low-impact and requires little equipment and can be done anywhere. As it gets easier you can go faster or longer.
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    edited September 2017
    I mostly walk and do light strength training at home. For weight loss, while neither is strictly necessary, here's why I do it:
    • I'm short. For me to lose 1lb/week with no exercise, MFP put me at 1380 calories. (I'm taking a diet break this week and it has me maintaining at 1740, which tells me that next week, when I go back to deficit, I'll be going down to 1340). I like to snack. This is challenging for me on 1380/1340. But if I exercise and eat back half of those calories? I usually have another 300-400 to play with.
    • I'm an emotional eater. And if 'stress eating' is distinct from emotional eating, I'm a stress eater, too. Exercise is a great stress reliever and I'm way less moody.
    • On the TOM front, since starting to exercise, my severe cramping and... bathroom issues have virtually ceased, leaving me with a little bit of water retention (The week before and the week of, I lost 0.2 lbs each. The week after, 2.6) and an urge for more salty carbs. Which can be satisfied with a couple of cups of popcorn or some of the lighter-calorie alternatives to potato chips, like veggie straws or protein chips.
    • It's pretty motivating when I look at my shoulders and realize that I have visible deltoids...
  • KiwiLifter
    KiwiLifter Posts: 115 Member
    No, but you were made to move.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Not for weight loss, but regular exercise is very good for your health.
  • Gould118
    Gould118 Posts: 544 Member
    No you don't need to work out to lose weigh but it sure helps! It's about 80% about what you stuff in your face and 20% gym.
    I my self try and stay at around 1800 calories and workout for 1.5 hours a day 5 to 6 days aweek
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Gould118 wrote: »
    No you don't need to work out to lose weigh but it sure helps! It's about 80% about what you stuff in your face and 20% gym.
    I my self try and stay at around 1800 calories and workout for 1.5 hours a day 5 to 6 days aweek

    nope, weight loss is 100% calorie deficit. how you achieve that is up to you though.
  • leetopliss79
    leetopliss79 Posts: 18 Member
    I've lost nearly 5 stone in 13 months and all I do is walk every day and eating healthy and watch the calories.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,996 Member
    No, however people that don't exercise usually find themselves regretting not doing while losing weight because they are unhappy about how soft and flabby they feel once they reach goal.
    I encourage it to help keep muscle and "harden" it up. And it doesn't have to be intense. Things just like regular push ups and other body weight exercises help.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    No you sure don't. It's good for you and will help make you look better once you reach your goal as others have said, but you don't need it to lose weight
  • oilphins
    oilphins Posts: 240 Member
    I agree with everyone here but just be careful on certain days as if you go over you daily calorie intake, you may put on a pound or so. Even if you can find 20 minutes 3-4 days a week to do a walk or even a very light jog, it will help.
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