Anyone else cut back on exercise while dieting?

[Anonymous]

As someone who exercises a lot and has struggled to lose 15 pounds I have taken a new approach, calorie and exercise reduction. It is working like nothing else ever has! I plan to work exercise back in but I think for me the dilemma is that it is hard to have the discipline of rigorous exercise and calorie control simultaneously.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I can do one or the other really well or I can do both half-assed I used the lose it app and cut back on my regular exercise and lost 10 lbs.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I stopped dieting and focus entirely on my strength training 2X a week and my cardio. I could stand to lose 20 pounds but I'm pretty fit and don't want to risk my fitness level by lowering my calorie intake.

[Anonymous]

It is well-known, OP, that losing weight is all about nutrition, not exercise. It's mainly about portion control. Research has also shown that calorie restriction prolongs life, and that animal fat increases cancer and heart disease risks.

Gentle and regular exercise is good for your heart, joints, and overall health. Intense exercise has NOT been shown to be good for longevity and indeed has been proven deletorious for joint health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It is well-known, OP, that losing weight is all about nutrition, not exercise. It's mainly about portion control. Research has also shown that calorie restriction prolongs life, and that animal fat increases cancer and heart disease risks.

Gentle and regular exercise is good for your heart, joints, and overall health. Intense exercise has NOT been shown to be good for longevity and indeed has been proven deletorious for joint health.

so true. When you do exercise, do a lot of strength training. It really helps. (Food helps more though!)

[Anonymous]

It's common knowledge that exercise isn't the primary contributor to weight loss.

- hardcore exerciser who could stand to lose 10 lbs but loves how exercise makes me feel

[Anonymous]

Many recent studies have shown that exercise leads to weight loss in only about 20% of participants. Most people actually gain weight when they start exercising. They are more hungry, eat more, and treat themselves to rewards for exercise.

I tried exercise and couldn't lose weight. I drastically changed my diet (eliminating flour and sugar), quit trying to exercise, and lost 75 pounds. Now that I am at a healthy weight (not skinny, but 5'6 and 155 pounds), I am still vigilant on my diet and have begun exercising because I like the way it feels.

[Anonymous]

My friend heads a running group for women and she recommends walking instead of running for those that are trying to lose weight, but they often have to walk for up to 2 hours to get the workout of a 45 minute run. Hiking also helps build strength and they will do that on their "long run" day.

[Anonymous]

I have much better willpower about working out than I do about eating. I have to do both to lose weight. But exercise alone (and normal eating) can maintain weight, for me.

I really hate to be hungry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have much better willpower about working out than I do about eating. I have to do both to lose weight. But exercise alone (and normal eating) can maintain weight, for me.

I really hate to be hungry.

Same.

[Anonymous]

Yes. The more I work out, the more my hunger increases. It's easier for me to cut back working out and eat WAY less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who exercises a lot and has struggled to lose 15 pounds I have taken a new approach, calorie and exercise reduction. It is working like nothing else ever has! I plan to work exercise back in but I think for me the dilemma is that it is hard to have the discipline of rigorous exercise and calorie control simultaneously.

Sounds like your exercise is not fun. I ride a bike. I do not need a reward for it - a ride IS a reward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have much better willpower about working out than I do about eating. I have to do both to lose weight. But exercise alone (and normal eating) can maintain weight, for me.

I really hate to be hungry.

This. When I have ridden 20 miles, eating a big salad feels more right than eating junk food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. I stopped dieting and focus entirely on my strength training 2X a week and my cardio. I could stand to lose 20 pounds but I'm pretty fit and don't want to risk my fitness level by lowering my calorie intake.

+1. Losing muscle mass and fitness is not worth it to see the weight go down on the scale.

[Anonymous]

I need both to see results.