Like Meg, I can't imagine how little I could eat without exercise But even more important to me is the way I look. Right now I have few jiggly parts that aren't supposed to be jiggly. I like being able to see muscle definition, wear sleeveless tops, shorts, tank tops, and not be embarrassed. Even if I weighed the same, without exercise I'd be considerably larger, softer, and the resulting fat would be all around my middle And I'd be so stressed and angry no one would want to be near me!

On the other hand, I can't stray from my eating by more than a smidgeon without it showing up, so food is just as important for me.

I lift 4-5 days a week for 30-75 minutes, depending on body part and business. Cardio: mixed, usually 30-50 minutes a day, never high intensity. My job is currently very active and involves lifting weight and demoing exercises.

Mel

Sometimes I'm really jealous of you ladies who work in gyms . . . I'm a software developer, so I sit in front of my computer for 8 hours a day, and yet somehow I'm still exhausted at the end of it. It would be great to have a job that required a little more activity than walking to the nearest conference room!

Jessica - I hear you. 5.5 years ago I moved from an active job to this one which is much more sendentary (though I love it 100% more!) Plus it was right after I developed PF and had to stop running (which had been my major form of exercise) for several months. And then my gym closed. (It was finally purchased and reopened, but it was closed nearly a year) What a shock. Same weight, whole different body shape! It's beena real struggle - mostly mental - to get back into the groove, and consequently I weigh more and I'm not sure I'll ever get that 5 year ago body shape back. But I'm working on it! Exercise is definitely the key. It helps keep my eating plan in place, and helps work off the excess when the plan goes awry.