to think you also need to exercise to lose a lot of weight?

[BobbysBeardOfWonder]

My DH is dieting, he has quite a lot of weight to lose (at least 5 stone). He currently has no plans for formal exercise, although intends walking a little more once the snow shifts. This walking would amount to around 30 minutes split into two (ie walking to/from station each day).

Is this achievable?! I think he's deluding himself to be honest, but I don't want to say it quite so bluntly. He 'has no time' for the gym, and in any case is too tired at the end of each day (partly due to being so overweight I suppose).

He's doing well so far on his diet (Primal/paleo) but it's only been 10 days. I hope I don't come across badly about this, as I really am supporting him fully, but I can't help but think doing a little bit extra would make a massive difference to his weight loss, and to his energy levels.

[BIWI]

It will make some difference, but not a massive difference. Stuff I've seen on the web would suggest that diet accounts for 80-85% of weight loss.

To be honest, if he's got a lot of weight to lose, and is currently tired, I'd let him get on with the diet at the moment. When he's lost a bit he may feel more like doing it. And if he is doing the walking, then that's at least better than driving.

[SamuelWestsMistress]

Mine is exactly the same! He has 3 stone to lose. I really do think that unless he exercises the whole process is going to take a lot longer and he will probably get fed up and give in. Like mine has over and over and over again.

[specialsubject]

yes. Also a 'diet' is not sustainable. If he is 5 stone overweight his lifestyle is all wrong so he needs to change a lot of his habits. For good.

more to exercise than the gym. He needs to move for an hour a day, even if it is only walking about the office. Simple tricks there; never use a lift, use the furthest possible toilet, photocopier etc, stand up when on the phone, go out for a walk at lunchtime even if only 10 minutes. That will up his exercise.

then an hour's walk up and down hills at weekends. As he gets fitter and loses weight he can do more.

wish him luck.

[Hobbitation]

I think that's a good start exercise wise if he has 5 stone to lose and is say, going in the car instead of walking. It would be good to walk at a brisk pace that gets him slightly out of breath though. He may well be too tired and then demotivated if he tried to do vigorous exericise as well. Lots of people make this mistake, including me. Building up slow and steady is likely to deliver longer term sustainable results. As he loses a bit of weight he may find he has more energy.

[BobbysBeardOfWonder]

Exactly Samuel, he's always trying to find a diet that works long-term, but gets bored after a few months. If he exercised too and the weight came off quicker, I'm sure it would keep him motivated.

[Mumsyblouse]

All the evidence is starting to stack up that exercise doesn't drive weight loss, because people eat more to compensate for having taken exercise, whether through mentally thinking they 'deserve' it, or because physically they need more calories (especially if on a restricted diet).

So, I would encourage him, point out that the walking needs to be fast (out of breath fast) and leave it at that.

Very few people stick long term to their exercise plans over years unless they either like exercising or it really fits in their lives well, so I would let him work out what works for him. If he's not a gym bunny, he won't sustain it anyway, but eating a healthier diet will set up good patterns, and then he can always choose to build in more exercise as he goes along.

[ILoveTIFFANY]

Exercise makes you feel good and gives motivation tho..... And energy

More likely to stick at his diet if he's feeling good...

How about a power walk app?

[puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE]

My gym instructor told me its diet not exercise that gets the weight off.

Obviously exercise is only ever going to benefit you, but you don't need to do it to loose weight.

[imonlydancing]

I have just lost 3 stone and haven't exercised any more than I did before. Purely through diet. Although now I am at the tricky last stone I will have to up my output if I want to continue having the daily hot cross buns!

[manicinsomniac]

In terms of fat loss, diet is far more important than exercise.

But for all around improvement of health and fitness exercise is crucial.

Someone who did no exercise could easily lose 5 stone more quickly than someone who did. But the person who did exercise and had lost say, 4 stone, might still be slimmer than the person who had lost 5 because they would be more toned and have converted fat to muscle.

[BIWI]

Exercise is brilliant for making you feel good - but it's hard to get started, especially at the gym, if you don't feel good about yourself. It is really intimidating going to a gym when you're overweight because you think everyone is judging you (and I speak from personal experience here!). So getting started gradually might be a good thing.

Do you do any exercise that the two of you could do together? How about doing the C25K? It starts really gradually and builds up, with some running every other day - it only takes about 15 minutes a day when you first start.

Also, re the getting bored bit, does he have anyone (apart from you, obviously!) to support him? If not, and if he's doing Primal/Paleo, why not show him the Bootcamp threads? Low carbing is very similar as a way of eating, and it might help to keep him interested/focussed. The support from others is phenomenal.

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

To lose weight it is about 80% diet and 20% exercise. It will be totally possible for him to lose the bulk of his weight without too much exercise although he should purely to keep his heart healthy.

[RandallPinkFloyd]

If he's got that much to lose then I don't see the harm in starting just with the diet for now. Once he's lost a bit hell probably feel more inclined to exercise anyway.

Put it this way. I've lost just over 11lb in two weeks just by calorie counting. Nothing gimmicky, not cut anything out, just ate less. Now I actually want to exercise because I feel more confident that I can iyswim.

[cheeseandchive]

I think that starting small is often best, especially if he's combining diet and exercise - too big a change in routine can often mean someone is much less likely to continue.

I lost 2.5 stone almost unintentionally (though I definitely had it to lose!) just because I started going to the gym occasionally to strengthen my knees post-op. I really enjoyed it so did a bit more, then a bit more, then my diet naturally changed too because I felt healthier so wanted to eat healthier. And I've kept it off ever since (about 2/3 years)!

So you might find that the more exercise he does, the more he wants to do and it just happens naturally. It might not, of course, but I'd just wait and see what happens for a bit. Good luck to him!

[Betrayedbutsurvived]

My husband lost five stone in ten months and I lost three in six months with absolutely zero exercise, and we've both maintained for 18 months and counting, also with no exercise. In fact if you google exercise hinders weight loss there's a lot of interesting stuff on there. Good enough for me, I loathe exercise.

[scarletforya]

I've lost 25 pounds in 3 months with no exersise. I've often lost similar amounts in the past with just diet. I hate exersise! I do it with weight watchers.

I've done exersise in the past (4 classes high impact aerobics a week) and then another year stretch of going to the gym 3/4 times a week but it makes no difference to my weight. Never has!

However some people swear by it, must have different metabolisms!

[hellsbellsmelons]

Walking an hour a day is great start to his exercise.
I got to goal on WW years ago and didn't exercise to get there.
I do now. It's more for toning so he doesn't get wobbly than weight loss itself.
He may get more into exercise as the weight comes off.
Good luck to him.

[ApocalypseCheeseToastie]

well I lost 6 stone last year without exercising loads so it is doable.

[fluffyraggies]

I lost 3 stone on Atkins (accumulated baby weight from 3DCs) 10 years ago and didn't excersice till the very end. It toned my slimmer body up a bit and encouraged me to shift the last bit of weight.

These days if i start to feel like i need to loose a bit i'll diet some off - then once i'm feeling happier about my body i'll start to feel like moving it more.

OP once your DH has lost a stone or 2 (which is the point at which other people really start to notice IME) he will benefit from building up a routine of going out for a walk or swim every other day - and more importantly, he will feel much more motivated by then too.

[MrsDoomsPatterson]

I lost two stone on the Candida diet...mind you it's basically just dusssstttt.

No excercise to speak of.

[CMOTDibbler]

I've lost over 2 stone in the last 4 months by calorie counting. When you look at how many calories you really use exercising it makes very little difference, though obv its good for long term health.

[Fluffy1234]

I can tell you for a fact you do not need to exercise to lose a lot of weight . I went from 13 and a half stone to 9 stone without doing one bit of exercise. I decided not to as it makes me starving and I then found I ate more as a reward for exercising and I just needed to get to grips with my eating.
I've maintained the weight for just over a year with sensible eating and 20 minutes of exercise a day.

[Jenny70]

You don't need to excercise to lose weight, however exercising will help weight loss and increase fitness... skinny people can be unfit.

I think supporting him in his food choices, encouraging "casual exercise" like walking to the station, taking the stairs, walking to the shops, is a great way for him to start.

Once he sees some weight loss, he may be further motivated to exercise - and with less weight to lug around, it may also be more enjoyable for him.

[Anja1Cam]

I too lost two stone without adding explicit exercise into my averagely active life (cycle to work and walk everywhere).

After that I upped my exercise and it improved my fitness, but I lost no more, although I did stop dieting, just went back to sensible eating

There is also a maximum rate that you can /will safely lose weight so there's no point in pushing for more, you'll just end up doing damage.