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.

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?

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.