Weight loss truths and misconceptions?

[MarkBork]

My wife started her weight loss efforts about six weeks ago. After we quit smoking she added a lot of pounds, and she was obese even before quitting.

We joined a gym, and she's working out on the treadmill, stationary bike, ab crunch machine, and hip abduction machines.

I've read that diet is more important than exercise when it comes to losing weight. I've also read and been told that getting "in shape" is not possible without exercise.

I've read and been told that working out doesn't cause women to get big muscles. However, my wife is concerned because her large calves are now large muscular calves. Her legs aren't toning down to slimmer, the muscle is just replacing the fat.

Are there general principles that apply to everyone, or is each individual a different case when it comes to losing weight and getting in shape?

My wife would like to get a least halfway between the 120 pounds she weighed when we married 32 years ago, and the 200+ she weighs now, and to get a bit closer to the figure she had.

Any suggestions, comments are much appreciated.

 

[LandonsBaby]

Congrats to your wife for trying to get in shape. The ab crunch machine and the abbductor machine are basically useless. She doesn't need to waste time with these. If you can convince her, she would probably be better off learning to do a few body weight exercises then move into doing some free weight exercises.

Every person is different, absolutely. But in general women do not build muscle very quickly or easily. If your wife is losing fat it could very well be that she just thinks she has more muscle because now she can feel/see it. I really don't think now is the time to worry about that. She has quite a ways to go with her weight loss. Worrying about building too much muscle is probably not really a concern at the moment.

 

[wishes]

Are there general principles that apply to everyone, or is each individual a different case when it comes to losing weight and getting in shape?

Good on her, make sure you support her any way you can. Yes there are principles that apply to everyone. Calories in need to be less than calories out to loose weight.

Try reading the sticky threads under Newcomers and/or

 

[jeffisbig]

Good for you both on quiting smoking and looking to get healthier.

I've read in loads of places that people who exercise and diet are more likely to keep it off (the numbers were always pretty high, but who knows how accurate those things are?).

You also have the option of starting out at a higher calorie count when you exercise, so you have a lot of wiggle room as you start to lose weight.

The overall health benefits of exercising go well beyond weight-loss too.