Can you lose much weight w/out exercise?!!

[LegoMom3]

Hello DIS W.I.S.H.ers...

I have a dilemma. I am trying to lose weight (welcome to the club, right?!). But I have almost NO time to exercise, literally. I am up at 6:00am every day. When the kids are at school, I'm at work, and when I get home, they are getting home and there is home work and house work and dinner to contend with. Precious little time for "me." And honestly, by the time everyone's in bed in the evening, I'm done and off to bed myself.

I could probably fit in some time on the weekends, but not consistently.

So, this doesn't aid my weight-loss efforts AT ALL! FWIT, I'm 5'1" and trying to lose about 15 pounds (ideally, although I'd be happy with 10-12! Every little bit shows up on someone my height...).

I could probably use some support in the diet/eating area. Is there a good thread here for that? I do well with my meals, it's just that darn snacking habit! I think if I had someone to be accountable to, I might cheat less...

 

[fofinia]

I think you can definitely lose weight dieting only. The times I've only exercised I've never lost weight. And when I was doing WW, the weeks I didn't exercise I lost more than the weeks I did exercise. I exercise cause I know it is good for me. I like the feeling of accomplishment I get when I complete a hard workout. And the way a cool shower feels when you are all sweaty. But unless I diet I don't lose. Most of the people at my WW meetings were not really exercising and they were losing.

I'm a snacker also. I try to allow for snacks in my plan. Right now I'm counting calories. And I just make sure to eat a little less at my meals so I can have a snack after dinner. And in the afternoon! I did that on WW also and I was successful. Finding the right snack that lets you eat a small amount but that satisfies the craving is the key. For me I found I needed to eat dark chocolate. I used to have a piece or two of milk chocolate. But that always left me wanting more. So I would either feel deprived for the rest of the day. Or I would eat more and go over. But switching to the dark I was able to eat less. Because it is a strong flavor and the flavor lasts longer.

That's what helped me in one area anyway. I've lost 25lbs and still want to lose about 20 more.

Good luck!!

 

[tigger2esq]

when I first started my weightloss plan--I did very little exercise. I was able to drop 17 lbs on weightwathchers. but then it stopped. until I started really focusing on exercise as well as healthy eating--I couldnt get past that plateau. (and I ended up down a total of 30). now I find that with regular exercise I dont ahve to be as fanatical about watching what I eat (aalthough i do watch a lot).

you dont need a lot of time to exercise. in the summer--go for a walk with the whole family after dinner around the neighborhood. I tend to do my exercising after getting my dd to bed (yes it seems by that point all you want to do is collapse in bed but you will be surprised how much more energy you have overall if you just exercise for 30 minutes 3 days a week). good luck!

 

[goodeats]

I think given that you don't have a lot to lose, that you need the exercise. Plus your body will look better, you don't want to be Skinny Fat (flabby!).

Even waking up 45 minutes earlier and doing a video would be better than nothing. Plus taking walks at lunch time would be good too.

I find that working out keeps me from snacking too much. Less 'down' time I guess. Plus immediately after you work out you're not very hungry.

 

[larry's girl]

I find that I don't lose well if I don't exercise. I have read that when you diet, your body tends to lower the metabolic rate to conserve fat because it thinks you aren't going to be feeding it. Exercise helps to get the metabolic rate up and keep it up even after you're finished with the workout. I do much better if I exercise, watch my diet and drink lots of water (half my body weight) every day.

I can't exercise at night because I am exhausted by 8:00 p.m. and can't get motivated to do it, plus if I exercise late like that I have trouble sleeping. So I get up at 5:00 a.m. (and yes, it's hard but it's doable) during the week and do my 30 minutes before I have to get ready for work and meet my vanpool. On the weekends, I don't get up quite as early, but I still try to get in the exercise I need to do before I do anything else.

 

[tigger2esq]

dont let the "I lost more weight when I didnt exercise" fool you. it is true inititally you might not see the pounds come off as fast becuase you are slowly building muscle (and muscle weighs more than fat) and in fact, I actually GAINED a little at first (although surprisingly the weight was much better distributed as I lost inches and started to look better) but after a bit, the weight will come off FASTER as you gain muscle and burn fat.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Yes, you can lose. The idea you need to focus on is healthy lifestyle. With that in mind, if you can exercise and make healthy choices (I know easier said than done) you will achieve the ultimate goal. Do your best to fit in whatever you can whenever you can. Your body, you and your family will thank you!

Never give up.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I just have to chime and say that what Susan said is correct! The metabolism issue is a HUGE deal . Even twenty minutes of exercise a day would make a big difference IMO...it'll get the metabolism fired up, give you energy and release those wonderful endorphins that make you feel great!!!

I see that you have the Mickey 08 clippie in your signature. Did you run the marathon this year? If you did then you must have needed to set quite a bit of time aside for the training. Just see if you can find that energy again and squeeze a bit of exercise into your day for the new year. As a fellow runner, I know it can be hard to find the time but the effort is definitely worthwhile and once your body adjusts to the exercise you should find that the weight will drop, if you are drinking water and eating healthy.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Dr Pepsi]

Weight loss is simply calories in vs. calories out. It doesn't really matter if you create the calorie deficit by dieting, exercise or a combination (though you may find your diet easier to stick to if you exercise, since you can eat a little more and still lose weight).

Even if you are at a healthy weight you should be exercising if at all possible. Can you go for a 20 minute walk during your lunch hour? Or take your kids on a walk/bike around the neighborhood every evening? It'll be good for your whole family.

 

[swim-mom]

Personally, after 33 years I have realized that I have to accept who I am. I am not Over Weight, but I would like to lose 10 - 20 pds. However, being realistic I am a mom of 4 and like you I am very busy I needed to find "ME" because being a mom makes you lose sight of who YOU are/were before children.

I think the reason why I have failed with losing weight and keeping it off, is because I was not doing it for the right reasons. The scale is a great thing, BUT you start to become addicted to the scale and not the healthy lifestyle. And what happens when the diet starts interferring with life??? You lose control and things just go downhill and you are back to square one.

I have finally realized that being Healthy is my goal, I want to be a role model for my children. I want them to see how far I have come and I want to be around for a lifetime...........however without exercise that may not happen. Skinny people die too, if their heart is not healthy..........and excerise insures a healthy heart

My plan is to do the C25K program (already on week7day2) and only weigh in on the first of every month. So far I am down 3 pds from Jan 1, its not alot but my body has changed in its shape..........I am very happy I have gone from and 8-10 to a solid 8.......thanks to exercise!

Please take the time and think if you want a healthy lifestyle that requires the time for """YOU""" or if counting points and limiting your food intake is your way of life!!!

What ever decision you make you need to make a commitment and be accountable to yourself

Coming to terms with the idea that you need to do something is STEP ONE, CONGRATS!!!!!!!

 

[disneychrista]

Yes it is possible to lose wieght w/o exercise but I find that exercise is truely the key to my success. Exercise just makes me feel better and makes me NOT want to eat a bunch of unhealthy foods.

And I also feel those that say they just don't have the time, just don't make exercise a priority. Tuesday's I get home later than normal by the time I have finished eating dinner it is the time I normally exericse. So on Tuesday I exerise a little later and I do WHILE I am watching the Biggest Losser. So if you watch TV at all then you have the time to exericse. Do you get breaks at work? Walk around during that time. Do you get a lunch break? split the time between taking a walk and then eating. If you want to exericse you CAN find the time to do it. You can even make it family time. Go on a walk as a family, play a game a tag/chase with the kids, kick a ball around, etc.