I've learned it it's not just about how many calories but what kind of calories. I know that based off my family history and also because it halts my weight loss I have to seriously watch my carbs especially refined sugars. Also The other key for me is weightlifting. When you lift weights,and I mean like high weight and low reps, and your sore the next day your body is working harder to repair those muscles which means you burn more calories throughout the day. So let's say you work out for an hour and the next day you are washing dishes...you're burning more just washing the dishes than you would have if you hadn't worked out for that hour. I definitely do think exercise is important but it's about finding the right combination for you.

Going back to the original question of whether or not exercise is the key... I don't believe there is any one key, out health and weight changes are based on several factors. Where are you? We fail at one component we must overcompensate with another. You can lose weight just by controlling food intake but you have to be more careful and restrict more to make up for the lack calories your body burns. People with sedentary jobs have to make their workouts harder where as people who lead active lifestyles do not have to take on intense workouts. It's about finding the right balance.

I think if the only success stories you've ever heard are with "extreme exercise" consisting of burning 1400 calories per day, then you haven't spent much time on these message boards.

In my life, I have 4 (personal) friends (one is my husband) who lost 40+ pounds and have kept it off for 4+ years. I, myself, have lost 80 lbs and kept it off since 2011. NONE of these "success stories" consisted of that much exercise. Not one.

One of these people lost 45 lbs with no exercise at all. She's active, but no organized exercise at all.

That said, exercise made it much easier for myself and my husband. Not only did we burn the calories, we also built the muscle. Not to mention the confidence it builds, the friends I made to stay motivated and the mood lift it provides. For me, personally, fitness/exercise are essential to maintain my weight loss. I had knee replacement surgery in December and was unable to exercise - still can't do much - and my motivation is in the dumps. My depression is lurking, I'm binging more and I'm just...restless. I've gained a few pounds back, nothing major and I'm not worried about that - but I am worried about another major depressive episode.

Just so you know, my normal fitness routine consisted of 3-4 gym workouts per week and according to my HRM, I burned 500-600 calories per session. I also did a lot of walking on my lunch breaks - normally 30-45 minutes and that burned a couple hundred more, but I only did walks on days I didn't go to the gym. I had some days where I did nothing. :)

IMO, the most important element of weight loss and maintenance is patience. You say, "I only 9 lbs in 3 months" and I'd say, "I lost freakin' 9 pounds in 3 months! Woohoo!"

I dont think so. I just absolutely hate working out. I know I should stay active, but my daily activeness I feel is enough for me. Anytime I workout and watch what I eat, it feels like such a burden and the weight comes of SOOOO slowly. When I just lower my carb intake and eat light and fresh without working out..and the weight just sheds off. Everyone is different.. you have to try everything and see what works for you.