It isn't a factor at all for me this time around. I've got alot of damage in my cervical spine and it really limits my movement and activity. I'm trying to ease back into doing yoga a few times a week, and sometimes I ride my bicycle or get on my Gazelle, but I'm not doing anything compared to what I used to.

I watched my food intake first, then slowly added in exercise. To me, I can lose weight with food, but I have to be very strict. If not, then I will gain very quickly if I go off plan for even one meal. When I exercise, I find myself more disciplined and less likely to binge or eat junk. Also, the exercise helps me on the days when I'm really hungry and just have to eat more. My weight fluctuations are not as dramatic when I'm exercising.

I find that exercise helps tremendously. It helps me feel empowered as I see my body change and my stamina increase rather quickly considering the slug I was before. This then makes me believe that losing weight through diet "is" possible. So to get out of my rut, I start with exercise only, which inevitably leads me to eating better in a gradual way. I also quit smoking not that long ago, so I really needed to replace that habit with another and exercising has done that.

I don't beat myself up and I do exactly whatever exercise I feel like doing that day. Some days I jump on my rebounder (mini-tramp), some days I jump rope, walk, do workout videos or go to the park and hit tennis balls off the racquetball wall.

Wish there was a "like" button here like on FB because I agree with so many of the points made in this thread. "LIKE"

I think we are all wired differently and have to do what works best for us on an individual basis.

I'm exercising again and enjoying it. Lifting weights. I hate, hate, hate, cardio. but I love lifting.

I just restarted a few weeks ago, I'm still sore, but enjoying taking time for myself.

I work for a veterinarian, a very active job and I need to be strong.

As far as it being part of the weight loss journey, it is, but isn't. This is my 2nd time around in WW. I love the program and it works, but I'm close to goal again and needed something else to focus on along with maintenance. It seemed like maintenance was harder than losing, because there are no more prizes so to speak.

So, I decided to start focusing on fitness, and making fitness goals. I am walking several times a week along with the lifting, I'm going to do a few "walking" 5k's this summer. I'm also gonna get my bike fixed so I can take some quiet early morning rides. I know, I said I hate cardio, but I need to get some in, so doing with activities i enjoy.

I know a lot of people say that it's 80% diet 20% exercise. Just wondering how important exercise is in some of your individual progress.

I've always been a "movement" kinda girl. While I have done treadmill/elliptical machine type of exercises in the past, and with good benefit, I generally would rather ride my bike, swim, play tennis, etc. When I was in college (ack! almost 30 years ago!) I got into weight lifting. It changed the way I viewed "exercise". I loved it! - I gained from 103 lbs up to 115 lbs in two semesters. I couldn't wait to get to the gym each day & track my progress, how much weight I lifted, how many sets, etc. I was strong - I FELT STRONG. Nothing jiggled! - it was very much MUSCLE and very little fat. Also, I was a lifeguard during the summers then, so I swam - A LOT. All that swimming & weight lifting kept me in the best shape of my life.



Throughout my dieting life (pretty much all my life ) I've kept my fitness level on the higher side. I never liked "dieting". I still don't! Because I love food! - healthy food, unhealthy food, veggies, protein, fats, carbs - you name it, I love it. I depended on exercise to make up for the (ahem!) self fueling. Unfortunately, as I grew into an adult & got more & more sedentary thru the years, desk job, sometimes working two jobs, etc - I kept eating like I always did. Couldn't afford the gym, didn't have a bike or a pool, etc. Became complacent. It's no wonder I gained so much weight - esp. in the past 15+ years.

So, in theory - exercise has been VERY important for me in my weight loss journeyS. Yes, Journey... with an "S" - because I've yo-yo'd thru-out most of my life. And I've NEVER once just "dieted" & lost weight. I have to have my exercise as well.

If I'm not exercising, I'm not eating right. Now, I can certainly exercise WITHOUT eating right too but I've never been able to pull off eating right WITHOUT exercise. I actually really enjoy exercising, it calms me down, gives me more energy and I feel like a million bucks afterwards. I actually hate dieting (love veggies but I miss sweets like crazy) but I can suffer through it because I know I'll be better in the gym afterwards.

So far me I'd say exercise is about 80% of weight loss simply because of the mental component. The remaining 15% is eating on plan and I'd account 5% to environmental factors (how much stress I'm going through, the type of people I'm hanging out with etc).

ETA: I exercised since the very beginning, I was actually running extensively for about 2 months before I started changing my food choices. Also, I'm always trying to increase the intensity of my workouts, lift heavier weights, run faster etc.

Exercise has just become something I don't feel quite right about if I don't do. Cardio and super simple body weight/core exercises are just part of my routine now, and if I have a completely sedentary day I feel a little gross. I have 4-5 miles of walking built into every work day (I walk to work), and I will try to fit in a run or an exercise DVD before/after work as additional movement.

As for weight loss, it's been absolutely essential. I got to my lowest weight eating whatever I wanted on the weekends and exercising faithfully during the week.

You have given the best definition of health that there is. You're stronger, can move more easily, etc. There's nothing "distant, hypothetical, amorpous" about that Keep moving!

To me, exercise has been a huge part of trying to lose weight. In fact, this is my second go at trying to lose weight but when I tried to lose a few years and did, I was inspired to lose weight because I was working hard at the gym and I thought to myself 'why am I eating this? This is like x amount of calories and almost equal to a session on the treadmill' so for me, exercise gives me accountability. I'm working hard so I don't want to undo it and I also enjoy it. It gives me a sense of achievement when im improving.

Also, other benefits ive seen that I have alot more energy. Before I exercised, I came home from work and just felt so tired and would just crash on the sofa so I def feel less tired now. I also feel like I've got goals to focus on fitness wise so I'm not always focused on shedding pounds but getting fitter.

Exercise isnt just about the gym. It's about finding what works for you. I go to the gym twice a week now and also attend a zumba and aerobics class. Initially I attended the gym once a week plus the two classes but after a few months I've gradually added the extra session. I started off slowly with levels that were comfortable on me and gradually have increased the intensity and tried to build my endurance.

Personally i would recommend exercising. The benefits you gain from it are totally worth it and it can only help you to lose weight

I'm not working out yet because I have hotflashes so bad from being in premature menopause. Hopefully between the diet and supplements I'm taking though, the hotflashes will ease up and I can start working out.

The 80%/20% sounds about right for me. I think the exercise helps my weight loss, but it's really my strict calorie control that keeps the weight coming off week after week. I exercise at a moderate level - on average I go to the gym 5-6 days per week for 40-60 minutes at a time, and typically do strength and cardio on alternate days.

I started exercising (for the first time ever as an adult) about two weeks after I began calorie counting. I feel so much stronger, better and happier after getting to the gym. If I'm having a bad day, I go to the gym and that's all it takes for me to come back home smiling and cheerful. I love the "me" time I get there, and I crave it. I can't imagine giving up my gym time - regardless of what it does or doesn't do for my weight loss.

To me it isn't very big because I have read that it causes premature aging and I know that I can have success without it, I use it as an aid if I go over my calories one day and to tone my muscles

my desire to be in better shape is actually separate from my desire to be thinner. Whether I lose weight or not I still need to increase my stamina and my flexibility.

I don't think that I burn a huge amount of calories with exercise but there is a correlation between my exercise and my weight loss. When I exercise I eat on plan. I think that it is a mental thing with me.

I have chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia (or at least that is what they like to call it anyway) and asthma that's been bugging me so I don't exercise much to be honest. There are times when I'm feeling better than I add in a bunch but that never last very long. A week, maybe two.