Calorie deficit - eat less or work out more?

Hi! I'm trying to lose weight and I'm wondering which is the best way to get a calorie deficit? Should I eat less calories or should I work out more? Let's say...is it more efficient to eat 1300 calories per day and wait to lose weight? Or is it ok if I eat 1600 and burn 300 by workout?

Both! I find that eating more makes it so that you feel a little less like you're on a diet. Plus, everyone's supposed to have at least half an hour of exercise a day, so you'd be able to get healthier as opposed to just dieting :D

Thanks lambless! I'll try that.:)

For the effect of weight loss, it makes no difference, deficit is deficit. It depends on your hunger and your motivation to exercise I suppose. I would definitely exercise, though, because you probably want to be a little toned once you shed the fat. Some people claim you end up "skinny fat" if you don't.

You can also vary. Like one day eat 1500 and burn 200, then eat 1600 and burn 300 the next day. That's how I do it, according to how much time I have to exercise. :)

I personally prefer exercising, because then I have more wiggle room in my food for the day. Up to you really :)

Either is safe as long as you're eating the recommended daily amount of calories for your body, weight, and gender.  I've been following the suggestions of seen of maintaining an overall calorie deficit of 500-1000 calories/day.  (This includes everything I do- not just workouts).  In addition, I get ~30g of fiber/day and 60-100 oz. of water.  This combination seems to work pefectly, keep my healthy, keep me losing at a slow/stead pace, and make my doctor and chiropractor happy. 

I find eating more and exercising makes me feel fuller, and the exercise makes me feel like I'm being more pro-active about my health. Plus exercise releases wonderful endorphins that make you happy, which definately helps me get over the "dieting sucks" feeling. And also building muscle helps burn fat more quickly!

excersize, excersize, excersize!

yes, food intake makes up most of your deficeit and you can lose weight simply eating less.. BUT with excersize you will be able to:

1) lose more body fat, rather then lose lean muscle tissue

2) tone and tighten your body, so that you will actually look leaner then if you were to skip the excersize

3) eat more!! have more freedom to enjoy food, and have tons of energy to work out, or do whatever you want!

4) love life... excersize releases "feel good" hormones called endorphins, making you happier, energetic, and feel more capable to take on life

5) build muscle.. it weighs more then fat, but takes up less space... for example if you lose 20lbs and build lean muscle you will actually look like you've lost 30lbs!

these are some of the reasons i think excersize is great.. the list goes on, but that's the good stuff right here!

of course while excersizing you cant eat EVERYTHING you want... decrease your calories to a sustainble amount that provides you with enough nutrients and energy to get you through your workouts and your day.. and watch the fat melt off!

Work out more.  I read a study (cant remember where) that tracked the weight loss efforts of two groups of people.  One group ate more, exercised more one group ate less, exercised less.  The group that ate more and exercised more lost signifigantly more weight and kept it off.

oh and be sure to NOT let excersize be/become a chore or punishment... if you dont enjoy it, then you won't give your best efforts and therefore you will not get the best results

find something you like and stick to it.. the sooner it becomes a habit the better... you should enjoy excersizing and the fact that you are doing something good for your body

start small and work your way up; listen to your body and dont take on too much at once, or you'll just burn yourself out and hinder your progress

for example, I recently started running about 10 weeks ago, and at first I could only run for a couple minutes at a time on a speed of about 5.0-5.5.. but now I can run for over an hour STRAIGHT on a speed of 6.0-7.0! and because I am getting better at it, i am enjoying it more :)

wow, carmenxox! i love ur enthusiasm and motivation! thank you!

thank you everybody! i'll start working out and cutting back on food...and let's all hope for a better healthier me! :P

good luck!

i'm going to play devil's advocate a little bit here. i have done both, and i have a slightly anal personality. when i really put my mind to something i tend to go all the way, maybe even slightly overboard. anyway, i find that if i start exercising too much i get obsessive. ill keep adding more and more b/c i like the results and take it to a new level. however, if you're talking burning 300 cals a day thru exercise that is great. my mom swears by running 3 miles and a little lifting 3-5 days a week, and just eating sensibly (no calorie counting). she's 40, 5'3 and about 115-120 lbs, she fluctuates b/c she has a very healthy mindset about weight. im trying to learn from her, i actually think i need to start exercising a little less. ok good luck hope this helps a little, but def some exercise is great, you're body needs it. just try not to overdo it like me, i dont htink most people have that problem but just in case.