[EagleRiverDee]

I workout in my bedroom (because that's where the tv is) and I agree that Jillian Michaels vids are good. I do "Ripped in 30" and have no trouble doing it in about a 4' x 6' space. There's very few things that even need that wide of a space. I also do Supreme 90 and P90X videos in the same area.

[indiblue]

Originally Posted by caliyah

I don't know if a bike is in my budget right now. Has anyone lost weight with low intensity exercise like yoga? I saw a guy on the Joy Fit Club who just did yoga and lots tons...I wonder if that has worked for anyone?

I don't really think that most of us can say we "lost weight with X exercise." Movement is movement- whether it's walking, yoga, lifting, or just doing laundry- and any movement contributes towards caloric deficits.

Personally I separate weight loss from exercise. I do exercise because it helps me move around, it's good for my heart, joints, muscles, and bones, but I try not to think too much about it helping with my weight loss.

I lost weight and I did a lot of yoga, but I don't think I can say "I lost weight because of yoga." I lost weight because I did a variety of exercises and I ate fewer calories than my body needed each day

Anyway, all that aside yoga is a GREAT exercise I highly recommend. There are dozens of styles- some are low-intensity some are high-intensity. I have been to yoga classes where I'm more exhausted than I am after running 5 miles! Others focus more on flexibility, others on strength.

All yoga needs is a mat, which is why it's great for small spaces. There are lots of websites and podcasts with yoga routines. My yoga instructor really likes yogaglo.com. I haven't tried it but it looks great- tons of different styles and schools of yoga offered.

Good luck!

[melodymist]

Originally Posted by caliyah

I don't know if a bike is in my budget right now. Has anyone lost weight with low intensity exercise like yoga? I saw a guy on the Joy Fit Club who just did yoga and lots tons...I wonder if that has worked for anyone?

I also workout in ym room. I have various DVD's that I collected over the last year. Why not try downloading a fun workout video? I love Zumba, TaeBo, Aerobics and Jilian Michael's workouts kick butt, especially the Yoga Meltdown. It's 30minutes and you get out a great sweat and bonus it builds lean muscle!!

[lm3898]

I have to respectfully disagree with the above poster [indiblue], I can certainly say for a fact that exercise combined with diet helped me to lose the most amount of weight.

For me, the weight came off much faster when I started working out, and even when I have cheat days with food, I know that I'm ok because I got a good workout in.

I also think the workout you choose to do will depend a lot on your current weight. Cardio is great for losing lbs, and strength training is great for building muscle. That's why most trainers recommend a combination of the above.

[EagleRiverDee]

My doctor said to me once, "You lose weight with diet. You get fit with exercise."

I don't think he was discounting that exercise burns calories, but I think a lot of people tend to "reward" their exercise efforts with food which can totally negate the calorie burn and then some. That's probably why just about every single exercise program out there also has a diet program. They're pounding it into people's heads that you can outeat any exercise plan.

[indiblue]

Originally Posted by lm3898

I have to respectfully disagree with the above poster [indiblue], I can certainly say for a fact that exercise combined with diet helped me to lose the most amount of weight.

For me, the weight came off much faster when I started working out, and even when I have cheat days with food, I know that I'm ok because I got a good workout in.

I also think the workout you choose to do will depend a lot on your current weight. Cardio is great for losing lbs, and strength training is great for building muscle. That's why most trainers recommend a combination of the above.

I am definitely not disagreeing that exercise combined with diet helps folks lose weight. As I said, I exercise a lot and all of the calories burned helps create a caloric deficit that is essentially what weight loss is.

What I'm disagreeing with are the statements I see a lot that say "I lose 30 lbs with C25K!" or "Does 30 Day Shred help you lose weight?"

ALL movement creates a caloric deficit. It doesn't matter what "program" or activity it is.... from TurboFire to yoga to just walking outside. And it's not really the exercise that helps you lose the weight... as you said, it's the combination of exercising plus a reduced-calorie diet.

There are lots of really compelling arguments why exercise helps with weight loss even more than we think it does... that the body adapts to the calories burned by being more efficient at other things... and so the "300 calories" we think we burn on the elliptical every 45 minutes actually reduces the calories burned throughout the rest of the day, so we really only burn 200 or so net. Mkroyer had a really good post on this: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/weig...ml#post4088215

I'm not even really getting into that argument... my point is just that activity is activity and it is unhelpful to try to pick one that "helps with weight loss." Doing a variety of higher impact and lower impact, cardio and strength training (as you said), of exercise and activity you enjoy is what's important. The weight loss will come a bit from that but mostly from diet.

Sorry if I didn't explain myself well the first time

[sontaikle]

I just want to jump in here and say that exercise can assist with weight loss, but if one exercises and doesn't watch their diet then they will not see results unless they're maintaining their current weight (and thus exercise will create a deficit). Many people fail to realize that exercise alone will not result in weight loss. They work hard, don't see results and give up. Many assume that because they're working out that they can eat what they want. Trust me, you can't. I had that mentality and it kept me at 200lbs for five years.

Can you lose weight with yoga? No. Can you lose weight with Yoga if you pair it with a healthy diet? Probably.

Find an exercise you enjoy and that makes you feel good. Whether it be Yoga, a fitness video or a stationary bike—you are MOVING and that's what's important. Then make sure you're eating healthy