just a little whining--- losing weight without exercise? and

hipsgalore
hipsgalore Posts: 204 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
I exercise almost everyday. yes, it is tough, yes it is hard work! leaves me to ponder this question. Have you lost weight with diet alone? or know anyone that has lost weight with diet alone? and what was the outcome? Can an outsider tell the difference just by looking at someone's body if they exercised and dieted or only dieted?

The answers will not change what I'm doing. I think exercising is good for me and my soul! However, sometimes, I just want to run away from it! (you know the feeling) :)
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Replies

  • AubreysMommy30
    AubreysMommy30 Posts: 64 Member
    I lost my first 20 lbs from diet alone... I read somewhere that for those of us who have a considerable amount to lose, most of our initial weight loss should come from a dietary change. I wish I could remember where I read that so I could link it.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    Yes you can, it all comes down to the calorie deficit.

    An outsider won't be able to tell the difference if you are fully clothed, but if you are wearing shorts, a bikini, sleeveless top etc then they probably would be able to tell, as with exercise you would probably have more muscle tone than you would if it was all diet.

    Edit: I have no experience with losing weight through diet alone, this is just all based on other people's stories and experiences.
  • addisondisease2
    addisondisease2 Posts: 348 Member
    I lost my first 20 lbs from diet alone... I read somewhere that for those of us who have a considerable amount to lose, most of our initial weight loss should come from a dietary change. I wish I could remember where I read that so I could link it.

    I am the same way i lost my first 20 with diet, and then I realized that I would rather be fit than a skinny fat, so I started training.
  • amoffatt
    amoffatt Posts: 674 Member
    I exercise almost everyday. yes, it is tough, yes it is hard work! leaves me to ponder this question. Have you lost weight with diet alone? or know anyone that has lost weight with diet alone? and what was the outcome? Can an outsider tell the difference just by looking at someone's body if they exercised and dieted or only dieted?

    The answers will not change what I'm doing. I think exercising is good for me and my soul! However, sometimes, I just want to run away from it! (you know the feeling) :)

    You can lose weight with diet alone, but exercise helps you tone. I have experienced both, lost weight with no exercise (which for me was quicker and some say its because I wanst building lean muscle) and now I am adding exercise and the scales doesnt move that fast, but inches are lost.

    Edit: My co worker is doing the Ideal Protein diet and she said she is NOT allowed to exercise at this time, or just lightly, no strength training, because the scale will not move as fast. When I asked why the diet doesnt allow this she said the trainer told her because the plan "promoses" or "states" weight loss of so much a week and the exercise will not show the weight loss this fast.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    I lost my first 20 lbs from diet alone... I read somewhere that for those of us who have a considerable amount to lose, most of our initial weight loss should come from a dietary change. I wish I could remember where I read that so I could link it.

    I am the same way i lost my first 20 with diet, and then I realized that I would rather be fit than a skinny fat, so I started training.

    so many people are skinny fat! and I want to be fit and healthy -- plus exercise has so many more benefits than just weight loss!! :)
  • AmberJslimsAWAY
    AmberJslimsAWAY Posts: 2,339 Member
    Last week I didn't work out at all and dropped 3.6 lbs
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    following MFP you will lose weight at the same rate whether you exercise or not. The difference being that if you exercise you will be more fit and healthy, as well as a lower BF% at your goal weight.
  • bergsangel
    bergsangel Posts: 131
    Yes, i actually lose weight better/faster with just diet alone, but end up kind of skinny fat. And of course, it never works long-term because I cannot eat at that deficit forever :)
  • ShawnaCurley
    ShawnaCurley Posts: 82 Member
    I would think it's a lot slower process! And they say excercise helps build your heart strong. I can't say for everyone, but it makes me feel good to do exercise! That's part of the complete package, is to lose the unwanted fat and have a strong heart! :wink:
  • Janet55555555555
    Janet55555555555 Posts: 50
    I feel in my life exercising is important. You can lose weight on the diet alone but for me my skin feels real toned.
  • SewerUrchin
    SewerUrchin Posts: 53
    I lost most of my weight so far through dieting, I only joined the gym a few weeks ago. Basically, my theory is that dieting makes you look hot in clothes. Exercising makes you look hot naked.
  • VinaAnderson
    VinaAnderson Posts: 104
    Last week I didn't work out at all and dropped 3.6 lbs




    That's amazing. I'm so jealous!
  • lissamok
    lissamok Posts: 82
    I lost most of my weight so far through dieting, I only joined the gym a few weeks ago. Basically, my theory is that dieting makes you look hot in clothes. Exercising makes you look hot naked.

    So true! I love this outlook, it makes me want to run around like a hamster.
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    Dieting alone works fine if you are just trying to drop weight. However it leaves a lot of people looking like a deflated tire. Just my opinion. If you want to look good without clothes, exercise is a key element.
  • rjsbailey
    rjsbailey Posts: 78 Member
    I lost most of my weight so far through dieting, I only joined the gym a few weeks ago. Basically, my theory is that dieting makes you look hot in clothes. Exercising makes you look hot naked.

    :happy: , nice way to put it!
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    I personally think 80% of the weight I lost was from diet. But you can tell IMO if someone is just dieting or if they are exercising too. The people who exercise just look better, they lose inches, everything starts to tone and not be squishy.
  • lin7604
    lin7604 Posts: 2,951 Member
    there was a thread around here somewhere, i am trying to lok for it. if i find it i will post it. This thread was about a woman who used diet and under eating to lose weight her 1st time, this time did it correctly and exercised, etc and she posted pics of herself under 130 when she under ate and this time at 130 with exercise and you can for sure tell the difference. even though the scale was more she looked a whole lot better and healthier!
  • mangozulu
    mangozulu Posts: 90 Member
    I'm losing with only diet so far. I'd love to exercise but having a hard time finding the time. Exercise makes dieting easier because you can "eat back" your exercise calories and still lose weight. But in the end losing weight is all about creating a calorie deficit however that is achieved.
  • dedication6
    dedication6 Posts: 184 Member
    I too lost my initial 20 lbs with diet alone. However I can tell on myself and have a couple of co-workers that I could tell were losing on diet alone. You can see it in the arm flab and in the buns/thigh area.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    I did and now I have to build up the lean mass I lost.

    You really should adopt a great lifting program thats created for strength.
    I wish I knew that cardio wasnt all that necessary but weight lifting was.
    I would have done things differently!
  • Jess11079
    Jess11079 Posts: 26
    3 years ago I went on a low cal diet with no excercise and I lost 43lbs in 7 months. I gained 20 of those lbs back and thats what prompted me to diet again but this time with excercise.....Ive lost 20lbs in 6 weeks. So im back to the weight i was after the first diet.....the difference.........I have a waist! You will lose weight with or without excercise but you lose more inches and parts of your body become way more defined with excercise. Im currently the same weight i was after my first diet but i look and feel better....so keep on excercising!
  • mignik68
    mignik68 Posts: 4
    I lost 38 pounds with HCG in a month and half. You can not exercis on ths program. That was 8 months ago and I have gained 15 pound back. I relized two things. 1. Everything turns to mush and sags 2. It Crees back on. I am not eating 1200 calories and working out 6 days a week. I relized it is a lifestyle change. I love the feel of my muscles. I have o ly let 5 pounds in 3 weeks but I am excited about keeping it off for good.
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    I am able to lose weight by just eating well and not working out. I work out though as well but I have done it before. And I really feel that it depends on the person whether or not someone would be able to tell if the person was working out because when I don't work out I still look the same and have always looked like I work out lol. its wierd but I am def. not complaining. So I think it depends on the persons genetics.
  • Artemis_Acorn
    Artemis_Acorn Posts: 836 Member
    I've lost both ways at a similar pace, but I am loving the feeling and sight of muscles developing. I love that my lung capacity has improved, that my stamina has increased and that I am going outdoors more. I can do more in a day. I feel more 'alive' when I exercise than when I don't. At the end of the day, it isn't all about the number on the scale. It's about being healthy and having a quality of life that you love. If you happen to look fantastic in (or out of) your clothes, that's the icing on the cake.
  • Blessedmommy_2x
    Blessedmommy_2x Posts: 419 Member
    Yes, you can lose weight without exercising.... A friend of mine lost 60 lbs just eating right. She exercised only once a week- and not even every week.

    I usually exercise.... but last week I didn't and I still lost 5 lbs!!! That said I plan on exercising more often... because I don't just want to be skinny, I want to be FIT!
  • viclee
    viclee Posts: 4 Member
    Exercise is not just good for losing weight. It keeps your heart healthy, it reduces stress, helps keep your bones strong, sweating is great for your complextion ;o) and obviously keeps your body tonned and strong. And after you start to feel and see the results you just all around feel better. Plus you will lose weight faster. Cardio is great for dropping the pounds and is good for your heart. Strength training is also great because as you tone and build muscle you are also speeding up you metabolism and thus you burn fat at rest too... bonus!! It is hard to get yourself going but once you are into a routine and see results it does get easier. All the best to you on your journey :o)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Yes, you can lose weight through diet alone but the human body is remarkably adaptive, if you simply reduce caloric intake your body will eventually consider this the new normal and you may, in fact, lose muscle mass as your body attempts to reduce caloric requirements..

    Strength exercise is vital to maintaining lean muscle mass (especially in males over 40) and a host of other benefits (bone density, balance, injury resistance) but may be deceptive if you are judging your success solely on the number appearing on your scale as muscle is denser than fat.

    If you're looking for a long term, sustainable change in your lifestyle your exercise program should include both cardio and strength.
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    Genetics indeed play a key role in this as well.
  • jdbagley3
    jdbagley3 Posts: 5
    The majority of what I've lost so far has been done without exercise. I did ride the stationary bike twice during the past month but for me it has been eating right, right choices, right portions. I do plan on getting more active after a few more pounds. I have a weak ankle due to tearing it up a couple of times and am getting my weight down a little before I put too much stress on it.
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    The majority of what I've lost so far has been done without exercise. I did ride the stationary bike twice during the past month but for me it has been eating right, right choices, right portions. I do plan on getting more active after a few more pounds. I have a weak ankle due to tearing it up a couple of times and am getting my weight down a little before I put too much stress on it.

    Nothing wrong with this. That's also probably wise. I started off at 245 lbs and while I lost decent weight and toned up, I did develop a bone spur in my heel and a bulging disc in my back from running while obese.
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