Reducing calories to compensate for lack of exercise?

Hi guys,

This is my first post here - so please be gentle, as I think this question is probably a bit silly!  I am new to weight loss and Calorie Count and just have a question regarding calories and exercise.

I work in an office and have not been able to make it to the gym at all in recent weeks.  In light of this, would it be advisable to cut down from a 1500 calorie target to 900 - 1000 as I am taking no exercise during the day?

Thanks very much!

Snarfle

No that wouldn't be a good idea because you'd then be crash dieting with all the horrors that means.   You don't have to go to a gym to get exercise.  In fact, you're better off trying to work 'natural' exercise into your everyday a lot of the time.  Parking further away from places, using the stairs instead of the lift, taking a walk at lunchtime or after supper, going for a bike-ride at the weekends.... that kind of thing.   Depending on your stats, if you stay reasonably active this way you'll still lose weight on 1400 or so.

Oh no, never go anywhere below 1,200..let alone 1,300...you are still able to lose weight on 1,400 just like gi-jane said.

Going too low will only have your body enter starvation mode, and from there a numerous amount of things can happen that will damage your body and even your mind.

How tall are you? your age, and weight.

If you give us your stats we can sort of give you a more accurate answer to how many calories you can have to lose weight. Use the tools the site gives you, so that you can have a reasonable weight loss of 1-2 pounds a week.

as jane said, basically just focus on getting more natural ways of exercise into your daily routine...taking the stairs, walking more, eating before 8pm or 3 hours before bed time can also help you (though there's a lot of debate about this topic) Also drink plenty of water, hydration is very important...and just eat healthy, whole natural foods...this is the key to losing weight successfuly, without the need to hit the gym every day.

good luck!

I'm sorry... it doesn't work like that. If your body needs 1500 calories a day, it still needs it whether you're working out at the gym or not. Instead of cutting back, start by figuring out your SEDENTARY calorie need then stick to that - and when you DO manage to work out, then you can eat more on top of it. But you mustn't ever cut below your base.

How about choosing low-fat and low GI foods (e.g. brown bread and pasta, beans etc.) so that you are getting all your calories?

1500 calories a day is not really that much, it adds up quickly!

Also, could you go for a walk at lunchtime? Even just 20 mins or so around the block, it would probably make you feel better about the lack of exercise.

I don't get a lot of time to work out either. What I do is 20 min walk in the morning, (it's really not that hard to get up 20 minutes earlier) and then I jog for 20 - 30 minutes after work when my kids go to bed. If I am still wake then I go for 20 minutes of lifting dumb bells in my living room. It adds up through out the day. Look! I actually get in a 40 - 60 minute workout everyday, just divided up when I get a little time.

Hi guys,

Thanks very much for that - I am quite new to  weight loss and I wasn't really too sure whether the 1500 figure included any exercise or whether you needed to reduce this to lose weight.

My stats are as follows: 89kg (shocking I know!) and I'm around 5'3 1/2.  I do need to lose weight and I want to do it healthily and gradually. 

Thanks for your responses everyone