Just my 2 cents -- losing weight and losing fat are not the same thing. I believe that dieting alone will get you results on the scale but you will likely be losing muscle as well, not just fat. A combo of both is essential. You don't have to go overboard on either but by exercising -- not just cardio but strength exercises too -- you will lose the fat. Exercise is also just plain good for you!

By just dieting you can get to goal on the scale but esstentially look the same. I'd rather weigh 10 lbs. over my "goal" weight but look/be fit and firm vs. weighing my "goal weight" and be less fit/firm. Mel's example is dead on. Don't let the scale become the be all, end all.

In all the years that I have dieted in my life I never really liked to add in exercise. I would always lose some weight by diet alone, but the real change in my body (which is what I am really after) is when I add in exercise.

For my body when I add exercise it looks like the fat is just melting off me. So I tell myself that, "exercise will sculpt the body I want. Diet will help prepare me to keep the body once I get it." Diet is important in that you can't exercise without dieting to lose weight. It's more important to me to teach me how to eat the right way so all the effort and mental anguish of exercising won't be a waste.

If you haven't guessed, exercise is the hardest part for me.

Thank you ALL again so much for your advice. I really got to thinking about this last night, and it did make sense to me in that I could lose weight without exercising, but if I do exercise, I could weigh a little more, but still be in a smaller size clothing, because I would be more fit and toned. Everyone's input has really helped me out and given me a lot to think about!!;)

Wow, this thread has given me more to think about and more motivation to continue taking my classes. I am definately not going to give the scale as much power over me as I have been. I am going to do measurements once a month...and no more!!! lol. I did take measurements before I started my classes. And I am going to do better about keeping up with my fitday so I can see where my calories are coming from and how many calories I am getting so i will be able to determine if I need to cut back or up them some. I am so glad I stop by to read this thread. You all have been very informative and helpful!!

heyy, a few years ago i was about 200lbs even though i went to martial arts classes at least once a week and then i had to leave due to exams etc but i started watching what i ate and went down to around 140lbs without the exercise however as a few people have suggested i wasnt that toned and as soon as i began eating normally (i was barely eating before) the weight has came straight back on!!!! i cant go to regular classes cos of my job having such messed up hours but gunna try to do some walking and checking kcal at same time to see how it goes (i dont have scales in the house to check how its going!!!)
xxx

I always do both. I figure I could just diet, or just do exercise, but the weight will come off much more quickly if I do both! My feeling is that the weight coming off quickly will keep me motivated and make it easier for me to stick with both the diet and the exercise. Besides, while I really hate exercising, it makes me feel stronger and healthier, and that, in turn, influences my eating habits. My only thing is that I don't use calories burned at the gym in order to increase my calorie intake. If I'm eating 1500 or 1800 a day, that's how many I eat, even if I burn 500 or so at the gym.

I do both and put my success down to exercise, but that's partly because it keeps me on track mentally as much as physically.

I find it easier to turn down a glass of wine or a slice of cake if I think it will affect my running than if I was purely focussing on the number of the scales. I prefer to have a mindset that tells me to eat like an athlete rather than one that tells me to eat like a dieter, even if they involve a lot of the same food.

I've never tried to do only one or the other so have nothing to compare it to!

I believe that diet is a HUGE part in losing weight ( still trying to learn this one) I chose healthy foods but I eat too many calories apparently because even when I exercise like a fiend I dont lose weight I just stay the same. The last week or so I have slashed calories.. under or right at 1500 cals and I have notice a big change in my stomach.. I had a stomach bloat or something, I dont know but its went down alot.

Have said that.. I *love* exercise, and it would take something life altering to keep me out of the gym. Just makes me feel good. Blood flow is my drug of choice :)