Exercise-Really Important?

Okay, so far I have lost 8.5 pounds since November 28th. Slow but steady wins the race!! Now, I exercised for the first couple days of this project, but I slowed down/stopped. Right now I do don't do anything but sit on this computer and play games. BUT, I have stopped eating as much, and watching what I eat. I also have vigorous relations with my fiancee' on a nightly basis lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. I'm not trying to divulge my personal life, but only tell you what I do that is active.

I guess what I'm asking is: How important IS exercise during weight loss? I know it's important, but the 20-2 hours of movement should work, right? Considering...well, all the different positions. And also, is it weird to feel sexy even after losing only 8.5 pounds? I am 279.5 currently, and certainly know I'm not "sexy looking". But looking at the scale and seeing the numbers lower just raises my confidence.

If that's you in your avatar, you're damn cute, so there's no reason to think you're sexy. ^_^ I felt sexy after losing 7.8 lbs. Still do. It's just how it is and you have a right.

Sex is pretty good exercise, depending on couple, but to really expidite your weight loss some actual exercise is required too... You can definitely lose weight just by cutting your food intake, but exercise really speeds the process up. Little exercise helps, even. Like if you're the cook do some calf lifts (just bend at the knee and hold it for a count of ten) while you're cooking. You'd be amazed how much it really helps. I know I was.

Anyways. If you don't want to exercise, you'll still lose weight, but exercise will definitely speed it up. ^_^

Keep it up sexy!

S & C, the whole exercise thing is overrated. I know all kinds of sedentary people that lie around all day eating bonbons and chips, drinking gallons of coke and their slim and trim and in fantastic shape.   Okay, just kidding...I only wish it was that easy, or I never would have ballooned to 240 myself a few years ago..lol.  

It is possible to lose weight, and copious amounts of weight, through eating less but it is so much easier if you exercise on a regular basis and more importantly, easier to keep it off and much healthier for you if you do exercise.  You'll probably find it improves your sex life too...lol.  Also, to do it by diet alone, you'll have to go down to 1200-1500 calories for twice as long as you would if you exercised.  And, when you do get down to your desired weight, if you exercised along the way, you'll find a toned and taught physique waiting for you, instead of a soft and loose one. 

If joining a gym is not your cup of tea, you can walk or jog lightly, do calisthenics or some workout tape at home.  Some things like exercise balls, stretch bands, free weights etc. are relatively inexpensive and produce huge results if done properly.   My point is, it doesn't have to be a chore, it can be fun or at least acceptable...lol.   Personally I like the gym because I like the atmosphere and the huge variety of equipment and it's so easy to change up your routine but it's not for everyone.

I think exercise is key for long term, permanent weight loss. I would suggest finding an activity that you enjoy and do it most days.  Walking is a great place to start.  At your current weight, a 30 minute walk (at 3-3.5mph) will burn 300 or so extra calories.  Not only will that speed up your weight loss, but it will improve your overall health. 

Good luck and keep up the good work.

Original Post by sex_and_candy:

I guess what I'm asking is: How important IS exercise during weight loss?

It is not just about weight loss, however. Regular exercise is important to your long term health for so many reasons! Getting in the habit while you are still young and finding things you really enjoy are essential to maintaining mobility, flexibility, etc., later in life. Getting 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (evn in 10, 3-minute bursts, according to a new study), is also the very best way to protect your cardiovascular health.

Right now, you could meet this goal by walking 30 minutes at a pace that raises your heart rate to 60-65% of its so-called "maximum." To figure it out in a simple formula, just take 220-[your age] x .6; and 220- [your age] x .65. If you are about 23, your target heart rate is about 118-130. You will find that at your size and level of activity right now, it will be very easy to get your heart rate into this zone; keeping it low might be the challenge. Aim to get to a pace of at least 3 miles per hour (20 minute miles) at first, and then you can increase your pace from there. Almost no one needs to walk faster than 4 mph (15 minute miles) to get their heart rate moderately raised unless they are already super fit.

So, IF you can get yourself to do it, take 30 minutes/day for fresh air and exercise. Having a dog to walk is a great motivator! But you can just circle your neighborhood block a few times to get the same benefit, too, or walk on a treadmill while watching tv. It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you do.

Best of luck!

I think working out is essential for not only weight loss, but for health reasons also. I used to be in the mindset that only eating healthy was key. Also if you work out you will see results faster, and your metabolism will pick up.

It's hard for me, as I work 40+ hours a week, then go to school full time ( 5 days a week) and I still find time to at least workout 5+ days a week.

I think you should start slow, then work up to a good pace. Not only will it help to lose weight, but you will feel better also!

How important is exercise?  My Dad turns 80 this year.  His diet is about as good as you can possibly get.  He walks a mile or two a day, rides a recombanant bike on a regular basis, climbs stairs every day, lifts light weights and is full of energy.   His mind is as sharp as anyone else's, of any age, and that's no exaggeration.  He never gets colds or flu's, doesn't take a flu shot and takes no medications whatsoever and probably never will.  Where he lives, he is surrounded by sick, sedentary, mostly overweight seniors who for the most part, have horrible health and are not very happy about their fitness, appearance or overall well being.  They are not really enjoying their retirement because they spend a lot of their time sick, injured, and travelling back and forth to the doctor and pumping themselves full of pills. 

My vote would be yes, exercise is important...lol... 

Hey. I was with you when I first started losing - exercise? Yuk! But as the weight came off, 13 pounds in the first month, I started thinking that maybe I could handle some walking. We have a small block and I wandered around it for about 20 minutes. I did this every few days. Then I downloaded some songs from a walking website that were all set at the same tempo, so I would be  walking 3mph. And since then it has just built. I'm doing an hour every second day at 4 mph now. I have bad knees and will never be a jogger, but I love the walks. They are my time - nothing bothers me when I am walking.

I also built myself up from 6 minutes on the elliptical (nearly fell off at 5 but kept going) to 40 minutes, the same way. I quit smoking and have now lost 30 pounds eating about 1600 calories a day and I will soon need a new wardrobe!

Now I see exercise for what it is - it speeds up your metabolism throughout the day, so you burn more calories; it removes toxins from your blood; clears your mind and reduces stress. Sure, sex might do that...but you're really not working out the mucles that will slim you down.  Believe me...exercise is not as horrrible as it seems. Just give it a chance! Start small, don't push too hard or you will be sore and end up stopping! And it's always nice to have your neighbours telling you, "Wow, you're looking good. I see you out walking all the time. Maybe I should be walking too."

Good luck!

Wow, JP!  When I'm 80, I wanna hang out with people just like your dad - not sit in a chair and drool on myself while looking forward to swallowing that next pill so I can feel better.  I'll be tearing up the place while everyone else watches and wishes they could do what I do!  Now that's a good reason to exercise however, when you're in your 20's, you're usually not in that mindset yet.  Still to idealistic and immortal.

It depends on how fit you want to be....what you want your body composition to be.

I lost weight a long time ago....but I was skin and bones, and it didn't look that great. I weigh more now, but I have muscle and I'm healthier physically. Yes, food helps that 80%....but you really can't beat how good it feels to workout.