Does exercise really make any useful mpact on weight loss?

[Ledkr]

You see lots of "celebs" having lost stones having "hit the gym" but they then go on to say they exist on a few leaves and some water

A woman at work has been doing 5-2 and has lost a bit over a long period but also has been doing loads of exercise classes but I'm sure that her loss would have happened with just the5-2.

I go to 2 Zumba classes and a step class each week and myself and all the other attendees look no different! I'm now starting to think my time and money would be better spent simply on a healthy diet.
I do think exercise lifts my mood but I'm unconvinced it affects weight loss.

[Statelychangers]

I average around 15,000 steps a day - go to 3 boot camps a week and a Pilates class - my weight is stable - which I suppose is good - the exercise is keeping my body fit, strong and healthy and I intend to continue doing it into old age. I want to be fit and healthy and enjoy my life, which is the reason why I do it.

[madgingermunchkin]

Eat more protein, go for wholemeal/brown instead of white pasta/bread/rice.

Less alcohol, less processed meals. I will never give up chocolate though.

[ppeatfruit]

minipie Sorry to disagree but changing one's diet can do LOADS of good things esp. if you 've been eating only processed junk. But your diet doesn't have to be too bad; I lost a stone without doing any extra exercise when I stopped a daily freshly ground coffee and started eating fruit on an empty stomach (that cured some arthritis I had too). Cutting out alcohol improves\freshens DD1's skin amazingly!

[AyeAmarok]

I never change my diet. Running works for me.

I think people underestimate how much exercise you need to do though. A walk a few times a week isn't enough. It needs to be hard, get you out of breath and sweating for at least 30 minutes 4 times a week.

Plus exercise is good for you for so many other additional reasons.

[madgingermunchkin]

You need a combination of exercise and diet.

But you also need to do different kinds of exercise. Muscle burns more calories, and raises your metabolism, so throw in a weights class once a week you will not end up "bulky" you will be amazed at the difference it makes.

You also need to make sure that you actually are eating enough. so many people make the mistake of cutting their calories too much while increasing their exercise and then wondering why they aren't losing any weight; it's because their body has gone into starvation mode and is storing fat but eating muscle. Which you really really do not want.

[Lorelei76]

IME no. I'm a regular gym goer, I have to work out to keep sane - well as sane as I am, which is,er okay, not very! - and I hate public transport and don't have a car so walk a lot.

hasn't made any difference or stopped me gaining weight. I've switched up my workouts and am trying harder on the diet front, but I have a feeling if I go all out on the diet front and ditch the exercise I will lose more.

it's just kind of unthinkable to me not to work out but I am coming to a point where I am beginning to think I might need to consider this as it will help me stick to fewer calories.

i think everyone's different so unfortunately it probably requires a bit of trial and error.

[Kikibanana86]

It does for me, I bought a treadmill 2 weeks ago and have been on it 5 times a week for 45 minutes and lost 5lb. Not changed eating habits much and have still eaten chocolate!

[AnotherUsernameBitesTheDust]

The only time I lost loads of weight was when I was doing kickboxing 3 or 4 times a week. It obviously made a big impact - and it was really tiring. Unfortunately I had to give up when DH lost his job and we couldn't afford it. and then the pounds (and stones) piled on.

I really should go back or try something else.

[Pisssssedofff]

I was thinking about this the other day because I e put a stone on since returning from Australia. I cycled to work, not every day only 3 miles but it was something. Was out meeting clients on the go all day every day, gym class after work most days, started at 8am finished at 4pm then doing stuff with the kids at weekends too. I find it damn hard to keep active here

[devilinmyshoes]

Not terrifically young no! I'm 45 (probably not a good example as have a thyroid disease, quite well controlled but does continue to alter my metabolism), my brother is early 50s and despite unusually low mileage for an ultramarathoner does struggle to get near a healthy BMI, my coach is 40 but does insane amounts of training. He's the one who always comes to mind because he eats 2 Chicago town pizzas (full size) after a long run and in addition to his usual massive meals.

I think one thing we all have in common is that none of us are desk bound, all of us are self employed so making time to be active (although my job is active anyway) is perhaps much easier?

[MissBattleaxe]

Exercise has made a big difference to me and makes me hold back from overindulging. I can look at a cake and think how many calories I burned off yesterday and think "nah" and I end up not having it.

I use a jawbone and do 10,000 steps a day and it has made a big difference. Dieting alone was a very slow process, but doing both has got results.

[Pisssssedofff]

Are those people generally pretty young ?
I see an ex premier league footballer pretty regularly who's 40's now I guess, clearly eats what he wants, I've seen his order and he is fat lol

[devilinmyshoes]

I don't understand the whole 'can't out exercise a bad diet' idea, it's simply not true. I know too many people for whom their exercise (generally running but also some cyclists) is one (among many other worthier) reason to make indulgence in booze and pretty terrible food possible whilst staying enviably lean. It gets to a point where it's an effort and a genuine headache to make sure you're taking in enough calories to support the workload and maintain a reasonably healthy weight.

[Shiningexample]

For many people exercise amplifies the disconnect between appetite and energy expenditure
You overeat even more...

[hollinhurst84]

It changed my shape but not my weight. Spin classes and lifting (very!) heavy

[toffeeboffin]

It's easier to change your diet and just try and walk more.

Oh, and find an exercise that you actually like! The gym feels like prison to me.

[lastqueenofscotland]

I think so, but I'm REALLY active. Ie I've run 13 miles today, and have walked a couple on top of that. That's fairly typical. I find I can eat whatever I want and stay slim

[bruffin]

i swim 4 x hour a week since May which burns around 600 calories. I have also cut back on food and have lost 10kg since May 25. I also do around 10k steps on the other days when i go to work, walking to and from stations and at lunch time. ( dont carry phone around during the day so doesnt included walking round office or house)

[mando12345]

I walk five miles a day normally, if I can't then I will gain a pound or two until I stay walking again.

I used to run, I could eat what I liked (within reason) and not gain weight.

So yes for me exercise does make a difference.

[minipie]

Aaaand anyway

Exercise is good for you in all sorts of ways other than weight loss (heart health, lung function, bone density, back strength, endorphins... list goes on)

which diet can't do.

[minipie]

Exercise doesn't burn that many calories, but it does boost your metabolism. You burn calories faster after exercising (short term benefit) and if you build muscle you will have a quicker metabolism (long term benefit).

[sunnydayinmay]

I don't tend to gain weight, (I don't eat a lot , as I have various food intolerances, and can't eat cake). BUT, when I started regularly exercising this year to improve strength in my back, I went down a dress size quite unexpectedly.

[Perfectlypurple]

Yes it does but only if you eat well too. I go to the gym probably 5 times a week. I diet also. The diet helps with the weight loss, the exercise helps with the shape change. I also tend to eat better if I exercise. I also use my Fitbit to record how many calories I burn each session. It is surprising how little that is when you are bright red and dripping in sweat. But it does help you see how much exercise you need to do to burn off different food.

[MrsMook]

I gain weight if I don't exercise. I need to exercise several times a week for my small build to cope with my normal appetite.

Exercise makes a difference to the look and level of toning, even if it's not reflected on the scales.

I agree about people overestimating exercise calories and underestimating food, or using exercise as an excuse to over indulge. My experience of exercise in my 20s included a yoga class and step class with fixed routine. Definitely of benefit to my health, but of considerably less fitness or calorie burning benefit than I believed. All exercise is worthwhile for general health, but many people are in a fixed routine that their body is well adapted to which is disappointing if you're looking for certain results.