"exercise does not contribute to weight loss"

[~*Kathy*~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mandy in Chandy Also true, which helps with maintenance. I mean who wants to be at goal weight and having to eat 900 cals to maintain because their metabolisms aren't up to par because of lost muscle mass, right?

Yep! I noticed when I was lifting weights last year, I could get away with not eating as clean as I had been and still maintain my weight...so that was really nice.

[jk1101]

I read that article this morning too. The whole thing with losing weight is that you have to eat less and move more. If you exercise and eat the same amount that you always do, you'll maintain but not lose.I don't eat all that much - I just can't get that motivation to actually go to the gym. Once I get there I'm fine!

[jojo194]

I agree with that article. I was a college athlete and have always worked out like crazy, but the only time I ever really saw weight loss was when I changed my diet (which is just no fun). One personal trainer I know said that diet is 80% of weight loss. However, like everyone is saying having more muscle will only help with metabolism so exercise is also an important to consider. Plus exercise helps tone and prevents the "skinny fat girl" as some people like to term themselves. Really it also depends on how your body reacts. There are some people that swear they lost 20 lbs by starting running, and maybe that is how their body reacted. Where as another person may lose nothing from starting to run. It is important to find balance, especially your own personal balance. Thanks for bringing this up!

[~*Kathy*~]

I 100% agree, Jojo. Weight loss is different for everyone and what works for one person might not work for another. The key is to find out what works for you, both as far as diet AND exercise go and that's where you will see real results.

[MissBlade]

Great Conversation, Ladies! By the way, have any of you read Naturally Thin by Bethanny Frankle (of Real Houswives of NY fame)? It is a great way to get out of the whole yo-yo dieting thing and start living healthfully and stop obsessing about diet and exercise! I'm thinking about starting a thread that includes the 10 rules to "Unleash your skinny girl and Free yourself from a lifetime of Dieting". It bothers me to read all the threads in this forum about these crazy diets that will all end of failing in the end!!!

[~*Kathy*~]

I heard about that book but I haven't read it. I don't consider Cheat Your Way Thin to be a "crazy diet". If you read it, it makes a lot of sense and it's not a thing where you starve yourself. There's a great mix of protein, carbs, and fat...which are all essential to everyone's health and the author also talks about how getting a cheat day a week has great psychological impact on people. I actually really enjoy following CYWT for the most part.

[MissBlade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~*Kathy*~ I heard about that book but I haven't read it. I don't consider Cheat Your Way Thin to be a "crazy diet". If you read it, it makes a lot of sense and it's not a thing where you starve yourself. There's a great mix of protein, carbs, and fat...which are all essential to everyone's health and the author also talks about how getting a cheat day a week has great psychological impact on people. I actually really enjoy following CYWT for the most part.

You know... you are proably right, and for someone who doesn't know what the right type of foods are, it would probably be very helpful. Not all diets are crazy, but most are impossible to maintain in every day life, leaving us feeling "bad" or like we "cheated" if we eat something that is not on the "list". (And God forbid if we have a vacation or dinner party coming up...there's no way!) People don't function normally when they constantly have to measure, count, restrict, and obsess over food. You end up feeling punished and deprived and end up eating a whole pizza in the end! LOL It's just not natural to eat like that and if you have to rely on a regimen and strict rules you proably aren't going to stick with it no matter how much will power you have. I think most people know that choosing veggies or fruit or lean protein over a bag of doritos is the heathier choice. However if in the moment you really want doritos, have a few and don't get crazy about it. Fill up on the veggies and once you give yourself the freedom to have the doritos when and if you really want them, you won't end up eating the whole bag and may not want them at all.

[~*Kathy*~]

I couldn't have said that better myself, MissBlade! What you said is perfect and correct. Don't obsess over food because it will definitely lead to bingeing for sure. That's what's nice about CYWT is that because you get a weekly cheat day, you always have that to look forward to and not feel deprived. I literally eat anyting I want every Saturday and I love that! I used to eat fast food 4-5 times a week so programs like CYWT have really opened my eyes that you can still enjoy your favorite foods but also eat like a sane person most of the time and lose weight. It's very sound reasoning.

[blckrevpower]

My problem has always been my eating habits! I love to eat (pizza, french fries) and when I don't work out, it shows! But when I work out and eat clean, I see amazing results! For 30-90 days, I will only eat clean foods, nothing processed, nothing fried, no sodas, or fruit juices. And I feel amazing when I do this. But, of course, there are holidays and all of that, so I slack off some. But for the most part, I stay fit. I always work out harder for beach vacations! And now especially the wedding. I'm refusing to go gown shopping until I'm in the physical shape I know I can be in. Hopefully that will be next month!

[rodent]

I just read In Defense of Food & it coveres a lot of the points brought up here. I try not to obsess about food, calories or exercise. I want to be healthy & in good shape, but i also want to enjoy my life, so it's important to me to find a balance. I try to do exercise I enjoy and have fun with instead of slaving away on a treadmill thinking about calories. I try to cook delicious, but healthy food. I also don't want to be all or nothing about it.

 

Another book I love is bob greenes best life diet.