I wanted to give myself the very best opportunity for weightloss that I possibly could. So I started with both. Although as far as the exercise is concerned, I started slowly and kept on increasing.

Michelle, you said you haven't had good results yet. I know you are very anxious for this to happen, but you really must give it more then a week. For weightloss to occur and for you to get some good habits and control back into your life. Hang in there, the first few weeks of any new venture are difficult. You will get the hang of it and you will definitely see results if you are staying with the program. But I really think you need to give Fitday a shot. I know it's tedious, but it is worth the extra effort. It can be a real eye opener. You CAN do this. It WILL happen.

You know, I was thinking about this more while I was at the gym (lol). 3 years ago I was in my best friend's wedding. She, like all brides, was trying to lose weight before the big day. She was exercising 4 times a week, with a personal trainer, and doing some hardcore stuff. But then she would come over to my apartment and we would eat a whole pizza between the two of us along with a couple of sodas. So she wasn't seeing any changes at all. Finally she started eating right along with the exercising, and it was like the weight melted off and you could really tell the difference.

This exercise thing has been tough for me because I am used to seeing the weight come off really quickly with past dieting. Inevitably, I always gained it back. With exercise, I see it come off more slowly, but the main difference I have noticed is that I can have a bad day with eating and I do not gain weight as a result of it. Before, it felt like while I was only dieting, my body was so sensitive to everything I put in my mouth. I would have one bad day and put on weight again. Then again, I didn't truly understand what the "right amount" of calories meant! I was always too high or too low (restricting).

I lost 40 pounds a few years ago by just counting calories and walking (then gave up both, because apparently I am very stupid), but this time around I'm counting and going to the gym 4x per week. Not only does exercising make me feel stronger, but when I get back I'm less inclined to eat too much-- I don't want to undo all that hard work!

Without exercise you're probably losing more muscle than without, so technically I think - pound for pound - you're losing more fat when exercising than if just restricting calories.

Personally I dont think its possible to keep your weight down without exercise, and I would think you'd be really loose (un-toned) without it as well, which doesn't sound that healthy or attractive.

I dont see why one cannot and should not focus on both at the same time. Neither need be extreme, but both should be done hand in hand (meaning calorie counting and exercising). If not for weight loss, at least for cardiovascular and muscular health. But that's just my opinion.

It may be just your opinion, but I think you are 100% correct! Now if I could just get it in my brain so I could do both!!!!

Some of your comments remind me of a little known book called . . . The No-Beach, No-Zone, No-Nonsense Weight Loss Plan by Jim Johnson who is a Physical Therapist . . . and, no, he really isn't bashing any popular plans although the title would make you think so . . . His point is that everything boils down to limiting calories and increasing exercise -- the old "eat less; move more" -- and one of the things I liked about the book was the fact that he definitely provides documented research to support all of his findings.

Anyway . . . to get back on topic . . . at one point in the book he outlines studies that show that men can lose weight by exercise alone but women cannot. That seems to fit right in with what some of you have said. He also states that both genders will get the best results by a combination of both diet and exercise and that if anybody must do only one or the other, calorie reduction is the way to go.

He recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least 5 days a week . . . but another interesting point he makes is that exercise can be accumulated by the mere minute's worth rather than in one or two longer sessions . . . particularly valuable for those who have physical challenges.

Allison, I forgot if you have a home cardio machine or not. I know you're very busy and that you have understandable trouble finding time to fit in a workout so I feel you can't go wrong with something good at home (you can just do 20 minutes if that's all you have, with an hour on weekends or something). I love my Center G3 elliptical I got, I swear I never thought I'd turn into cardio queen.

I have a Nordic Track at home and if there were a TV near it, I'd probably use it more. It happens to be in the one room where there is no TV! All during January I got up early and used it for 20-30 minutes 5 times a week and also did some sit-ups and whatnot. I guess I got discouraged because I saw no change (but now I realize that I was relying on just exercise--not diet AND exercise). The other day at Costco I was eying a Bowflex machine......doubt DH will let me buy that, though. And.....I work 2 doors down from a very nice gym. Like I could get myself out the door here and inquire about a membership? I've been saying I would do it for several weeks now.....

IMO, they really go hand in hand. Exercise and right eating that is. For long term success anyway. And that's what we all want. I mean why not give ourselves the best chance at success and the best chance for a healthy and fit life?

My unsolicited opinion is that if the room with the nordic track has no TV then you need to get one. They're not that expensive, it can be a really cheap old model type or for a few hundred, stick a small flat screen on the wall. Its really so worth it if it makes you work out, and frankly, I couldn't imagine being happy to use my machine if there was no TV?!???

You're right. DH has a TV in the garage after all!

allison~ If the hubby doesn't want you to buy a tv for the room threaten to take the one in the garage.lol

Yup! I might be able to lose weight without exercise, but it would be a lot of muscle. When I started, I jumped in and changed everything- went all out on exercising and did a 180 degree turn on my eating. My weight came off quickly, and my body shape changed rapidly. After I reached what I thought was my goal weight, I really changed the way I exercised and lost another clothing size without losing any scale weight.

The answer to the original poster's question is really it depends on YOU. Some people need to make changes gradually, some need to take a big plunge. If you are already exercising, don't stop! You'll lose scale weight, but a greater percentage of it will be muscle. You want that muscle to burn up more calories and to look great when you get to goal. You're also establishing healthy habits to help you maintain.

Good luck with the thyroid meds- "normal" is an infuriating term when you know that it's not optimal.

Mel

For me exercise was easier. But the more I exercised, the more my appetite went up so I didnt lose. It wasnt until I got my diet under control that I was able to lose weight. But I notice that if I dont exercise, I dont eat well, mostly because I become lethargic, moody, depressed etc. I need both. Exercise for body , energy and spirit, diet to lose weight


Besides. I simply can not enjoy life on little itty bitty portions of food. Cant do it. I would rather create a deficit that is shared by diet and exercise than diet alone.

MEL...Thanks so much for your input, I really appreciate it!!