Do you really HAVE TO exercise?

I think the idea is a little silly to say that in order to lose weight you absolutely need to have an intense exercise regimen. What's wrong with just being active?

I mean, when I was setting out a plan for what I would do at college, I thought "I'll eat this and that and I'll work out at the gym an hour a day". Until I realised, I have a lot of homework to do and I walk about 2 miles a day between classes and such. And I'll be joining a student run Taekwondo class when it starts up in a week.

Is that so wrong? Should I be planning morning runs while I'm at it?

nope, 2 miles a day and a tae kwon do class sounds good to me! 

Sounds fine to me. :0 My gym schedule relaxed a bit when I started school. Gotta learn balance I guess. I'm a commuter, so it makes it a bit annoying, but I manage to fit in gym time here and there. :)

And an hour in the gym is plenty active. And the class sounds like oodles of fun~  I think you've done a fine job getting yourself set up. ^^

You don't have to exercise to lose weight but exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.  But any activity will do, walking to class counts.  We can talk all day about whether or not this activity is better than that but in the end what counts is that you regularly use your body for something other than sleeping and web or channel surfing.

Well you don't have to exercise to lose weight, although it helps.  However, it sounds like you are getting exercise.  and exercise is very important to good health to exercise, and taekondo is a great cardio workout, as is walking.  

The most important aspect of weight loss is regulating your food intake.  Ie, more calaries burnt, then eaten.

I'm with Tom - the definition of exercise is wider than "running". TKD for example, comes under the heading of "kick-ass exercise" both literally and metaphorically.

 As long as your heart rate is elevated over what it would be on the couch in front of the TV you're getting some sort of exercise-like benefits from it. What kind of exercise is best for you depends completely on your goal - the daily and weekly routine of someone going for their black belt will differ considerably from someone going for their first genuine bike century or double bodyweight deadlift, but that's on a level of detail that doesn't much matter for the health perspective.

Original Post by healthyforever:

I think the idea is a little silly to say that in order to lose weight you absolutely need to have an intense exercise regimen. What's wrong with just being active?

I mean, when I was setting out a plan for what I would do at college, I thought "I'll eat this and that and I'll work out at the gym an hour a day". Until I realised, I have a lot of homework to do and I walk about 2 miles a day between classes and such. And I'll be joining a student run Taekwondo class when it starts up in a week.

Is that so wrong? Should I be planning morning runs while I'm at it?

 Well, to answer you question..yes. You need physical activity in your life but you sound as if you are getting plenty. Plus, the number one way to lose weight can be found on your fork and dinner plate. Nutrition is everything!

Move more...have fun...get stronger.

I don't run becuase I have knee/hip issues but I do walk 20 miles a week at a quick pace, and lift weights.

It is important to find something that is fun for you. When you get used to your routine, you will find that you may actually enjoy some of this activity and look forward to it. Never thought I would get to where I feel terrible missing a few days, but I do.

I don't know where you ever read that you "absolutely need to have an intense exercise regimen."

The point is to be active. I think 30 minutes (or maybe it's an hour, not sure) or cardio a day is recommended in order to keep your heart strong and healthy. Also, exercise does help quite a lot in fat loss. 

But if you think you get that 30 minutes of cardio from walking in between classes, then that's fine. 

Personally, I love feeling stronger, and I can't seem to get that same toned/strong feeling just from dieting. I need diet + exercise. But to each his own. 

You don't need to have an intensive exercise program to lose weight. You don't even need to be active to lose weight. Its a calories-in vs calories-out equation and you can make up the deficit with diet, exercise or a combination of both.  I hate exercise, but I can't drop below 1200 calories and be healthy, and I can't drop below 1500 calories and be happy, so its something I force myself to do.

Technically you don't have to exercise to lose weight because if you eat less than you burn just breathing then you will lose weight.  But you will end up flabby and also at some point you are likely to plateau and only be able to continue losing weight by starting to exercise.

Also being skinny and unfit isn't that much better for you than being fat and unfit so the reason we exercise isn't entirely to help with the weight loss but because its healthy for your body, blood circulation, toning etc.

I think it really depends on your goals. If you're trying to get a lean muscular body, then yes that requires a lot of work. But if you're just trying to drop a few pounds so your jeans won't be too tight, then no you just need to make sure your calories in is less than your calories out.