Dietingis easier than working out...

I think that dieting is definitely easier than working out. You don't need as much motivation and I think it takes less effort. Also, it can be really hard to work out if you never get time alone or you have injuries. You will still lose weight just by dieting, but you won't get as toned as you would if you worked out. Just be sure to get over 1200 calories a day, and if you have to burn any taking a walk is a good idea.
Hope this helps!

I have bad ankles, and sometimes painful knees. I also have a rotator cuff injury that flares up now and then for weeks at a time. I had to push myself to get the gym for the first little while (well, actually, I love Curves, so that was a fun transition... but I'm talking the "real" gym--elliptical, arc trainer, strength training with weights, etc). I had to push myself to get there. That's why I prepaid my year of membership--I am more likely to stay motivated that way. If not for me, then for my money! lol

As time progressed, I started to really enjoy working out. Then I started really hating NOT working out. If I don't get my workout in, it's a horrible day. Seriously. I have purchased a stationary bike, my dumbbell set, and a mini trampoline made its way to my house just a few days ago. I have plans to buy an elliptical soon too... I'm just waiting for our garage to be converted to my toy room first! Now I can't imagine NOT having an active lifestyle. I had to move myself into it, and now I don't want to leave!

Push yourself... you'll soon see that it's really not so tough... and it's actually a happy pill without the pill!

Oh-and for the injuries... I recommend trying a Cybex Arc Trainer (or some other arc if there is one). They're amazingly low impact.


*edited to add: as a food addict, the diet is the hardest part for me. I'm having to retrain my brain not to connect depression, anger, guilt, etc. with needing more food... that's H-A-R-D. Much harder than training my body to have some stamina for exercise.

I agree with you about dieting making more of a difference. I do workout three times a week (30 minute workouts) BUT I think watching the calories is the real way to make a difference--faster. To give this example, I have always been somewhat athletic but you have to work out a lot if you are eating more than you should. For years, I've exercised but did not watch my food intake and I was inching up in size. Only when I joined MFP and started eating less calories every day did I lose weight....and the exercise stayed basically the same.

So, I honestly think you can keep doing this--losing weight--without the exercise. Just watch those calories!

Are you getting enough nutrition and sleep? Those two together plays a big role in how your mind is set for the workout...start your workout small and gradually build on it. I have bad knees and feet too. As a matter of fact I have no right knee cap and I have a fusion in my right foot that does not allow that foot to rock outward or inward. I will be running my first 2 marathons this year...find friends who will lift you up and inspire you. Once you get going you wont look back!

I'm the opposite as well.

After years and years of switching out bad foods for good ones, etc. there are no easy choices left. I don't drink soda or juice, I eat a darned healthy diet. And eat pretty much the same amount of calories at each meal and when I cut back, I so hungry I can't think straight.

I am striving simply not to overeat at all because no matter what form it takes -- carbs, protein, etc. the leftovers all get stored as fat.

I love working out, walking outside and strength training is my new "thing."

The trainer at my gym says that losing weight is 60 percent diet and 40 percent exercise. I think she's right.

Sorry to hear about the challenges but we all have to work with what we've been dealt. Dieting is certainly beneficial to maintining a healthy weight, or loosing should that be necessary, but most on MFP post about the benefits of watching your intake coupled with some type of exercise. For those who can, they are fortunate. For those who may not be albe to, then watching your diet seems the best thing you can do.

Remember, healthy foods, not processed, will do the body best.

Good luck with your weight loss/maintenance endeavors.

"They" say that loosing weight is 70% diet and 30% exercise, so It seems "they" agree with you. That said though, I have learned to love working out :happy:

I love food so much, i could literally eat all day and all night. Sometimes i find it really hard to work out but then i think of the yummy food i get to eat at the end and thats motivation enough.

But its true that its a mix of both that will get you where you want to be faster. If you just diet it will take longer to lose the weight as working out builds muscle which burns calories more efficently.

My boyfriend of 9 years tells me I am in the best shape ever and it comes from eating well and excercising well. (Jillian Michaels 30 day shred literally saved my life, its amazing) If i eat some cake i dont beat myself up about it i just enojy it and get back to healthy the next day, same if i miss a workout. Im not one of these people whos going to get all stressed as i missed a run. Everything in moderation!

I like exercising. But I do think it's easier to diet in the short term just because dieting takes no extra time and for me, time is a precious commodity. I find it hard to eat little enough to maintain a weight loss without exercise though. Plus, exercise has so many health benefits that it's just not smart not to exercise regularly.

i lost a great deal of weight during one part of my diet without working out. hated exercise at the time and decided i'd rather just do it with calories.

the downside is that some of that weight loss was muscle.

did it the right way the second time. also, some level of exercise will most likely have to be a part of your maintenance phase. get an exercise bike for the winter, and walk during the summer. that's the way i do it.

i don't mind exercise now; you just get use to it after a while.

i have to say that working out is definantly the easy part for me. i spend anywhere from 5-9 hours a week in the gym. I Have an awesome support system there, as i am friends with the trainers and a lot of the members there. everyone is so friendly! I have to say however it has not always been this way. When i started i would be sore every day when i worked out...and even on days i didn't. My back and knees always hurt regardless of what i was doing. Since i have lost 70 pounds through both diet and exercise i feel SO much better. I do however still have those weeks, that i just do not want to go to the gym. I usually go anyhow. The eating thing is what challenges me most. With someone holding me accountable, for food logs, i am a lot more likely to eat better...but it is still so hard for me....Best of luck to you!

I think it is easier to exercise. I think it is more fun at least.

I agree with this statement personally. I love vegetables, and cooking from scratch, so it's easy for me to stay within my calorie limits. I get a lot of light exercise from walking everywhere (I live in a city) but serious exercise is hard to make time for. However, I've found it's impossible to lose weight without it.

I'd have to say that I also like to workout.. 10 years ago I wouldn't have been caught dead saying something like that.

I love the rush I get for the surge of endorphins.. I love the overall good tired feeling I have after a great sweat and I love that when I work out, I am less hungry AND I get to eat more if I want to.

My biggest issue with "dieting" is that I feel sometimes like I'm depriving myself. THEN I feel guilty if I over indulge. even if I go for a leisurely walk after dinner, that's still activity and it still makes me feel better. I too have bad joints and have been dealing with arthritis in my joints since 16.. while I can't run I have found elliptical machines and Pilates and walking that I enjoy that aren't quite as strenuous.

on a side note, I have found that my increased activity level actually helps me make better food choices... I find myself saying "well, I ate xxx calories and I still have xxx left, but am I really hungry?"

NO WAY!!! I love working out. it is fun, and a great way to blow off steam. The extra 400-800 calories per day allow me to eat those extra things I really enjoy.