Anyone lost weight just by counting calories, creating a deficit & no exercise?
lemonginger35
Posts: 38 Member
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Sure. Read the thread about the lady that lost 300lbs. She has MS, uses a cane and wheelchair and is almost at goal. What a woman!20
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Initially yes. I was Obesity Level 3 and had over 100 lbs to lose. I admit I did exercise daily, but we're talking about a 25-minute daily walk. Not anything you'd call intense. But... I'm 5'3". To lose 1lb per week with no exercise at 254 lbs, I had 1720 calories to play with. Easy-peasy, once I became aware of what I was eating. Problem is, when I dropped a few pounds, my calories got recalculated and I found I needed to exercise in order to have more calories to eat. Right now? To lose 1/2lb per week with no exercise, I'd be on 1340. I like to snack. I've learned to select lower-calorie snacks that make me feel full, but if I tried to get by on just the sedentary calories, I'd have to really cut back on those nibbles. For me, just because I CAN lose weight without exercise doesn't mean I WANT to.
(There are other benefits, of course. Like added energy, more muscle retention, fewer TOM issues...)
It can definitely be done, especially at first. But if you are able to exercise, I'd recommend it.15 -
I don't truly fit the description given but I will say that I increased my exercise only slightly in my journey from 307 lb to the 160s. I was walking a lot, hiking some, and occasionally swimming, even at my heaviest. That hasn't changed but honestly I push myself very little when it comes to exercise. My weight loss was 99% calorie counting and being extremely diligent with that. Eating far more vegetables and "healthy" food and a bigger variety of foods and less restaurant meals or fried foods.
At some points in this (including almost 5 years of maintaining the loss) I've gone weeks with no exercise beyond walking around at work and running errands. There are times when I hike A LOT (hours per day) especially on vacation and during summer & fall...but other times when a couple of 30 minute walks in my neighborhood are my entire "workout"... I have never been to a gym in my life. I've taken a couple of exercise classes but it was never for longer than 2 months or so (very sporadic).12 -
Me, me, me! I lost 40 lbs just counting calories. I’m a 5’2” woman 54 yo. I’m working on the last 20, in January I started doing 30-40 minutes of walking, brisk pace (3.5mph), 5x’s a week. It’s so much easier without that 40 lbs to lug around!17
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you can do it that way but exercise is good for your heart/body and it may change how you look as opposed to losing weight without exercise.now if you cant exercise right now thats fine not everyone can exercise which is fine too. but if you can even starting out say with a 5 min walk per day and increasing little by little over time would be good.9
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longkathleenann9291 wrote: »Me, me, me! I lost 40 lbs just counting calories. I’m a 5’2” woman 54 yo. I’m working on the last 20, in January I started doing 30-40 minutes of walking, brisk pace (3.5mph), 5x’s a week. It’s so much easier without that 40 lbs to lug around!
When people say this, I always think "What am I doing wrong?" - because I notice very little difference in my abilities after losing well over 100 lb. I was always energetic though, so I guess that's good!2 -
Yup, I lost 70lbs with diet alone. I caution people about exercising too early in your weight loss journey because you are at higher risk of injury.15
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Lots of times. But not this time. I'm working on overall health not just a smaller waistline.3
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I lost my first 30 pounds with diet alone.7
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Yes my exercise is very minimal. Walking here and there. Mainly diet has me at a loss of 24 pounds so far.3
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Yes, lost the initial 25 lbs, just from counting calories. I incorporated exercise before losing the next 20 lbs.2
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It’s totally possible! Like others said above, it also depends on what your goal is. Diet alone will cause a bit of muscle loss, but you’ll definitely weigh less. If the goal is to have a certain figure/toned shape, strength training is your friend. If you want be heart healthy, cardio is crucial! I think it depends on what you want
health journeys aren’t one size fits all. Good luck!!! 7 -
I started by tracking calories but the pounds dropped way faster with exercise2
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Broke my foot over Thanksgiving, 11 weeks ago almost to the day. Started logging that day after stepping on the scale. I chose "lightly active" and "-1.5 lbs/week" as my goals. I'm currently down almost 22lbs and I'm back under 200 lbs (78 day MFP logging streak, woo!). I got outta the boot and began exercising one month ago, so 7 of those weeks were literally zero exercise. If you do the math, I'm averaging nearly -2.0 lbs/week. I'm 39% of the way to my goal weight of 165 and officially being in the "normal" weight range according to BMI charts. New secondary goal: 15% body fat.
I hate the idea of fad diets, so here's my plan: 1) eat whatever I want; 2) try to get close to 50/20/30 or 50/25/25 carb/protein/fat macros but this one isn't a firm rule, more of a guideline; 3) include as few processed foods as possible, basically try to avoid anything with preservatives; and 4) try super hard not to go over that daily cal goal. The magic thing about this diet? You only need two things: MFP and a food scale at home that you can buy for $10.
You got this.8 -
I did this for about two months. I injured my knee and was unable to do any time of exercise (except for swimming, which I don't enjoy). I just stayed at a slight deficit and lost .5 pounds a week until I was able to workout again.4
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I have a sedentary desk job and almost get no exercise except for a random walk here or there, down almost 80 lbs since November 201715
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I just started because I had surgery on my foot. I'm down 3 pounds in 18 days.3
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Hello there, I worked a desk job and went from 332 to 190 by creating a deficit. If you can't exercise right now that's ok, if you can don't log it and it'll just make your deficit even larger 6
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yup! From 96 kg. to 73 kg.3
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Yep! I started a week ago and have lost 5.6 lbs. I was eating ice cream, gushers sugar drinks and just garbage- I told myself no more! So, I get 1500 calories a day, no excerise yet, watch your salt, sugar and carb intake-it’s amazing how much is in food. I only drink water and having the food diary makes me control my portion sizes. Overall I’m eating what I want, I’ve switched to low sodium, light mayo things so I can save the calories to last me all day. My first day was rough because I was using all my calories within 2 meals-the nice thing is you can put in your diary what you want to eat first and it’ll tell you how many calories and whatnot it’s going to be, and if something’s too much, you can leave the garbage out of it, and save the calories for a snack. Try to choose healthy ingredients too, not frozen, canned processed junk.
Best of luck on your weight loss journey!10 -
Tshearwood wrote: »Hello there, I worked a desk job and went from 332 to 190 by creating a deficit. If you can't exercise right now that's ok, if you can don't log it and it'll just make your deficit even larger
MFP has your deficit built in without exercise. its intended use is to eat back some calories if not all(everyone will be different). but a bigger deficit is not always a good thing.1 -
So far I have lost 314lbs with zero exercise. I have MS and am in a wheelchair. I am more than happy to offer support if you like. Just add me and shoot me a message 😊
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I've lost 13 lbs/6 kgs in 2 months just by eating 1200 calories a day. Becoming aware of how much calories are in your food really aids weight loss.
I'm too busy with law school and my clerkship to attend the gym.
I also drink 2 litres of water a day to feel less hungry, but the hunger goes away once you get used to the calorie deficit. The first week was awful, but once you get past that, you'll be fine!1 -
I’ve lost 17lbs in around 4/5 Weeks just by counting calories (approx 1200 a day). I don’t exercise apart from walking short distances here and there, so it definitely can be done.1
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AnnabellaRaine wrote: »So far I have lost 314lbs with zero exercise. I have MS and am in a wheelchair. I am more than happy to offer support if you like. Just add me and shoot me a message 😊
What a transformation, you look great! A real inspiration 😊
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Yes. I am 55 and have gone from 202.6 to today 179.8 (22.8 lbs) in 95 days. I do not exercise at all, not even walking.
I am doing strict keto and measure and weigh everything with a calorie defecit.
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This thread really give me inspiration i known that i will start exercise eventually but wanting to get down to the 200's first.1
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Me!!! I'm 5 feet tall female. I started on January 1st and have lost 24lbs since. Only watch my calories and some walking while I shop so no exercise for me really. I still have to lose 60 more pounds3
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Yes I had lost a good amount of weight with just diet alone. Slacked off and back at it again. Good luck!2
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Awesome job Annabella!0
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